Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 11 Capítulo 3

Capítulo 3 – Comando Imperial da Rainha

Parte 1

Era um dia tranquilo com a luz do sol filtrada pelas árvores.

Em meio à atmosfera sonolenta, no início da tarde.

Um velho soldado de corpo alto e magro franziu a testa, ouvindo os sons de uma luta de espadas à distância.

Cidade Fortaleza Cross Field, primeiro quarteirão.

Em um pequeno campo de treino que foi construído perto do prédio do escritório do governo feito de pedra, os trinta membros da Ordem dos Cavaleiros de White Ridge, liderada por Singlen, estavam fazendo treinamento de Drag-Ride.

Singlen veio aqui com o pretexto de fazer uma inspeção regular.

Depois que restavam apenas três Ruínas a serem conquistadas, os membros dos Sete Paladinos Dragão tinham o dever de vigiar a situação para que pudessem dar o máximo de apoio possível a qualquer facção.

Era chamado de dever, mas, na verdade, era algo como um cheque para que nenhum lado tentasse tomar vantagem.

“Eu envelheci para cochilar assim.”

O velho soldado Zweigbergk sorriu ironicamente enquanto se dirigia para fora do prédio.

Ele estava caminhando pelo corredor que estava iluminado com uma luz fraca enquanto se lembrava de uma memória do passado.

Era uma memória de mais de vinte anos atrás.

Uma memória em seu país natal, o Reino Blackend—

—

“Santo da Espada Zweigbergk. Quero que aceite a posição de tutor particular da casa do Conde Shelbrit a partir do mês seguinte.”

Dentro do castelo rústico de pedra, em uma sala que tinha tapeçaria vermelha pendurada.

Zweigbergk, que servia como Capitão da guarda real, foi repentinamente informado sobre sua demissão na sala de audiências um dia.

“Isso significa que cumpri meu propósito? Não me lembro de ofender os ministros da política a esse ponto.”

*Murmúrio* A frase de Zweigbergk que ele murmurou com um sorriso destemido fez com que os funcionários enfileirados se mexessem.

Embora ele fosse o cavaleiro Capitão sob o controle direto do reino, sua observação ainda era muito desrespeitosa para um mero cavaleiro.

Isso mostrava sua relação com o Rei, ao mesmo tempo que mostrava que essa aposentadoria era algo com que ele não consentia.

Na verdade, foi exatamente assim.

Desde que Zweigbergk foi nomeado o Capitão da ordem dos cavaleiros deste país, suas realizações foram infinitas, como subjugar insurreições por completo e assim por diante.

Na verdade, sua idade tinha atingido a metade dos quarenta, mas era uma idade adequada se fosse na sua qualidade de comandante— não, mesmo em esgrima e vigor ele não tinha mostrado nenhum sinal de declínio, ele era um general incomparável que não poderia ser igualado por ninguém.

E, apesar disso, ele foi obrigado a se aposentar. Zweigbergk teve uma ideia sobre o motivo.

(Isso se parece com a apreensão de pessoas influentes. Não há como eles ficarem felizes sabendo que alguém como um general que está hospedado por quase trinta anos no castelo está por perto... hein.)

Embora ocasionalmente houvesse pequenos conflitos com outros países, a situação era geralmente pacífica porque a distância do Antigo Império era muito grande.

No momento, quando a ordem pública também não era ruim, a existência de um poderoso cavaleiro seria incontrolável para os estadistas.

Para o jovem rei que acabara de assumir o trono, a presença desse cavaleiro veterano o tornaria incapaz de manter sua dignidade.

“Mas, será lamentável se sua habilidade enferrujar, posso pedir-lhe que empreste sua força para nutrir a próxima geração?”

“Fuh...... Tutor particular da casa do Conde Shelbrit é isso, certamente eles são uma família de prestígio, mas—”

Zweigbergk riu com desdém em seu coração.

A casa Shelbrit era uma família notável que descendia da família real e havia produzido cavaleiros por muitas gerações. A partir dessa descrição, parecia bom, mas se sua memória lhe servia bem, o comportamento daquela família não era decente.

O Conde, que era um senhor feudal, cobrava impostos inutilmente e fazia festas selvagens, cercando-se de muitas amantes.

Ele era ridicularizado pelo ambiente por fazer mau uso de sua autoridade. Era a casa de um senhor feudal estereotipado e libertino.

No entanto, embora Zweigbergk tivesse uma personalidade rude e ousada por natureza, ele não podia virar as costas ao comando imperial do Rei.

Quando ele foi ao território do Conde com relutância no mês seguinte, era um lugar terrível que ultrapassou sua imaginação.

A ordem pública era pior porque o senhor feudal vivia extravagantemente e não fazia seu trabalho.

Ele dava banquetes em sua mansão imponente ridiculamente grande quase todos os dias. Suas várias propriedades localizadas à distância estavam sendo administradas por seus filhos, mas mesmo eles haviam caído na depravação como uma coisa natural.

Eles estavam apenas se ocupando com álcool, mulher e depois caçando.

Os herdeiros que ainda eram muito jovens, atormentavam e batiam nos criados e criadas.

(Chamar isso de depósito de lixo não será suficiente.)

Se fosse assim, naturalmente Zweigbergk também não poderia estar devidamente motivado.

Poucos dias depois de ficar lá, enquanto ele estava economizando dando lições e instruções de esgrima, ele de repente encontrou uma certa visão dentro do terreno da mansão do Conde.

“Opaaa, cuidado, o tutor velhote está aqui!”

“Vamos! Ei, velhoteee! Só estávamos brincando agora! Não mexa com ninguém!”

Várias crianças que faziam expressões vulgares estavam fugindo do pátio.

Parecia que estavam intimidando um colega filho do Conde.

Além disso, eram irmãos, uma irmã mais velha e um irmão mais novo, filhos de uma amante que havia morrido de doença.

(Se bem me lembro, seus nomes são—)

O nome da irmã mais velha era Marche, o nome do irmão mais novo era Singlen.

Ele achava que esses eram os nomes deles, mas não estava particularmente motivado para lembrar seus nomes.

“Consegue aguentar? Eu vou te dar uma mão. Vou avisar os dois mais tarde.”

O menino parecia ter cerca de dez anos. Zweigbergk ofereceu a mão ao menino, mas suas palavras eram uma mentira.

Eles não eram crianças que ouviriam, mesmo que ele os avisasse de qualquer maneira, então ele não se preocuparia em fazer algo sem sentido.

Ele só disse isso superficialmente simplesmente por causa de sua obrigação, mas o menino sorriu.

“Obrigado pela sua consideração. Mas— sua ajuda é desnecessária.”

“............”

O menino chamado Singlen tinha uma existência tímida que não reagia mesmo quando vários de seus irmãos mais velhos o bateram.

Essa primeira impressão foi substituída por uma sensação estranha de fora do lugar no momento em que viu o sorriso do menino.

Algo estava estranho.

Embora ele estivesse pensando assim no canto de sua mente, naquele momento ele não conseguia dar palavras a isso e saiu dali.

Quando foi para a cama naquele dia, Zweigbergk percebeu de repente.

Atrás do menino, estava sua irmã mais velha doentia, parecendo inquieta.

E então, enquanto o próprio menino estava todo coberto de hematomas, seu rosto, seu estômago e seus pontos vitais essenciais poderiam ser considerados completamente ilesos.

“Não me diga, ele intencionalmente deixou que o batessem?”

A fim de se defender e proteger sua irmã mais velha do ataque de seus irmãos mais velhos de diferentes mães, ele propositalmente agiu de forma insolente e assumiu o papel de um saco de pancadas.

Além disso, seu próprio corpo não foi significativamente ferido, ele lidou com o ataque apenas com sua visão dinâmica.

“—Interessante. Bem quando eu pensei que ia passar meus anos restantes no tédio como professor particular.”

Zweigbergk encontrou algo pelo qual ansiar pela primeira vez como professor particular desta casa. Depois disso, ele deu todo tipo de educação especial para Singlen fora dos olhos do público.

Ele era diferente dos outros herdeiros. Ele estudou diligentemente e cresceu forte em um piscar de olhos, mesmo assim ele não revidava seus irmãos mais velhos incompetentes.

É claro que Zweigbergk não estava insatisfeito, ele também não o instigou dizendo coisas como “Por que você não revida mesmo que possa vencer?”.

Não era porque ele era dedicado a seus deveres profissionais, mas porque ele viu através da verdadeira natureza de Singlen que era como um falcão escondendo suas garras.

Ele entendeu que mesmo que ganhasse temporariamente contra a violência de seus irmãos mais velhos, mais cedo ou mais tarde ele enfrentaria um contra-ataque que estava emaranhado com autoridade.

Ele fingiu ser impotente até que pudesse estabelecer sua própria força.

Um dia ele certamente assumiria esta casa depravada do Conde com pura força e inteligência.

(Quantos anos vão se passar até que ele se levante, eu me pergunto?)

Tal previsão e imaginação de Zweigbergk foi traída em menos de alguns meses depois.

Não era como se aquele menino estivesse particularmente esperando o dia para virar a mesa.

Enquanto Singlen estava fora, sua irmã mais velha foi atingida e perdeu a visão. Em menos de três semanas depois disso— os servos dentro do território se revoltaram e a casa do Conde foi envolta em chamas.

Os meio-irmãos que bateram na sua irmã mais velha foram todos mortos, sem exceção, enquanto Singlen e sua irmã escaparam do lado de fora.

Zweigbergk percebeu isso tardiamente.

O estratagema de Singlen que levantou a revolta e os guiou pelo buraco na segurança da mansão.

Desde o início, ele era capaz de destruir a família a qualquer momento.

Ele simplesmente não se preocupou em fazer isso até agora, seja simplesmente por causa de seu capricho, ou por causa de sua compostura—

Poucos dias depois, ele se reuniu com os irmãos e, quando disse isso, Singlen sorriu sem qualquer culpa.

“E você pretende me jogar na prisão, Zwei-sensei?”

O menino ergueu os olhos para o professoro com um sorriso insolente até o fim. Em resposta, Zweigbergk balançou a cabeça.

Em troca, ele abaixou a cabeça e falou.

“—Eu desejo ter permissão para testemunhar o seu caminho pela supremacia.”

Ele disse.

Ele jurou lealdade não a um prodígio que aparecia a cada cem anos, mas a um monstro desumano de profundidade desconhecida.

Assim o relacionamento dos dois continuou até agora.

Não mudou mesmo depois daquele terrível incidente que ocorreu no Reino Blackend.

“............”

Quando Zweigbergk voltou a si, viu Singlen praticando levemente contra os membros da ordem dos cavaleiros no campo de treino.

O campo de treino era um pequeno espaço em forma de anel que era cercado por sólidas muralhas.

Lá, um membro da ordem dos cavaleiros usando um <Wyvern> balançou sua espada com força total, às vezes ele puxava o gatilho da arma, mas Singlen que estava pilotando um <Drake>, nem mesmo foi atingido.

Se isso fosse tudo, então não seria algo particularmente surpreendente, mas—

“Vice-Capitão. Isso é, o que ele está fazendo? Como o Senhor Singlen pode se esquivar de olhos fechados?”

Quando ele percebeu, um membro novato estava parado ao lado dele. Ele murmurou com um tom pasmo.

“É a técnica secreta do senhor, Vetor de Batalha – Reflexo Lunar. Ao tocar o Drag-Ride do oponente usando o chicote de arame, ele pode prever o próximo movimento do inimigo por meio do som mecânico do Drag-Ride.”

A força motriz interna de um Drag-Ride moveria o corpo antes de causar o próximo movimento.

Mas, prever isso apenas com som e vibração poderia ser considerado um movimento especial sobre-humano.

Desde que as Ruínas foram descobertas há mais de dez anos, Zweigbergk também adquiriu habilidades que não envergonhariam o título de Santo da Espada, mas o talento de Singlen estava em uma dimensão diferente.

Zweigbergk respondeu com indiferença enquanto caminhava em direção ao seu senhor que havia terminado o treinamento.

“Exatamente como meu senhor esperava, a Rainha Raffi está vindo para Cross Field. Acredito que ela provavelmente pretende ter uma conversa secreta. Não há progresso com a busca da Dragon Marauder e da Moon.”

“Entendo.”

“O que deveríamos fazer? Lux Arcadia está tomando medidas que se desvia das previsões do meu senhor. Se continuar assim, mesmo a possibilidade de exceder a posição da Magialca será—”

“Kukuku, isso não é algo bom em vez disso? Se aquele homem superar minhas expectativas, podemos simplesmente fazer com que ele se torne o herói como é. O herói que salva este mundo.”

Em contraste, seu senhor, Singlen Shelbrit estava sorrindo sem medo.

Mais de dez anos depois, houve vários incidentes e sua irmã mais velha também havia partido deste mundo.

O homem que constantemente escondia suas presas, arrancou as correntes que o prendiam e se transformou no Tirano Azul.

Ele não tentou esconder sua verdadeira força e mudou seu método para dominar outras pessoas por uma demonstração de força.

(—Mesmo assim, há apenas uma coisa que ainda é a mesma.)

Aqueles que tocassem a escama do dragão chamado Singlen, encontrariam a ruína com certeza. (NT: No Japão, há um ditado que diz que tocar na escama de um dragão, significa ofender alguém gravemente.)

“Como desejar. Então procederei conforme planejado.”

Zweigbergk estremeceu no fundo de seu coração em relação a essa existência aterrorizante.

Mas, por alguma razão, ele também sentia medo semelhante por aquele homem chamado Lux.

Part 2

In the end, the match between Yoruka and Coral ended in a draw. They guarded him alternately depending on the situation, but unexpectedly this situation started to function well.

Lux thought that the aide exchange program itself possessed an aspect of sounding out the other country’s intentions, but it would be hard for Coral to do that because he had to be by Lux’s side as his guard, and above all else the female students who didn’t know anything about the situation would constantly hound Coral and follow him around.

Lux thought that it would be somewhat calmer when he was with a fellow male, but contrary to his expectations, they gathered even more attention instead.

「How should I say it, Lux-kun has it hard, don’t you? If it’s like this, it might be better if I also dressed as a girl.」

Even Coral who usually showed a good appearance on the outside now looked dead tired. Seeing him like that, Lux smiled wryly while realizing once more that his situation was abnormal.

It was scary to get used to it like this…….

While thinking such things in the corner of his mind, he was doing chores of cleaning falling leaves at the courtyard after school.

The falling leaves of late Autumn were piling up everywhere, but soon the leaves would also become few.

While he was doing the work silently with Coral’s help, a voice suddenly called from behind.

「Oooi, Lux. Over here, here! Leave the work to that transfer student and come inside.」

「What’s the matter, Lisha-sama?」

Without him noticing, Lisha was in front of the atelier’s door.

When the sudden call caused Lux to wonder, Lisha folded her arms while facing aside with puffed up cheeks.

「What do you mean what’s the matter? Even though Krulcifer and Celis are finally gone, don’t get too occupied with your chores. You are my knight after all. There is a confidential talk. Come here right away.」

「Ah, that atelier is the place where Drag-Ride development takes place, isn’t it? Is it okay if I have a look too?」

「Rejected. It’s an important secret, so outsiders aren’t allowed to enter.」

Seeing Lisha’s curt attitude, Lux smiled awkwardly.

「That’s, is it no good even if just for a bit? I think Coral can be trusted.」

「That’s not it! There is also another talk! Plainly speaking, it’s a talk about official business!」

「Ah……」

When Lisha spoke impatiently like that after seeing Lux’s attitude, Coral stiffened with a complicated smile.

「That’s, I’ll finish the cleaning of the leaves so, don’t mind me.」

Lux noticed Coral’s consideration and he entered inside the atelier. There, he smelled the familiar scent of metal and oil.

Everything was the same until that point, but during the time when he didn’t visit here for a while, there was a certain change inside.

「This is, the three types of general purpose Drag-Rides? But, they don’t look like the Triad’s Drag-Rides.」

Lux suddenly saw three Drag-Rides at the depths of the atelier and he tilted his head.

The flying type Wyvern, the land battle type Wyrm, the special equipment type Drake. Those three types, but each of them had subtly different shapes from normal.

「It’s really sharp of you to notice my new technology. Well, in the end they can only be used for my Tiamat, but they are powerful for sure.」

If it was just simple reinforcement, there was already the 『EX』 type that was the reinforced model of general purpose Drag-Rides.

However, these three Drag-Rides here were disassembled from normal Drag-Rides, and then they were recombined into a different shape. They gave the image that they couldn’t function by themselves.

「……Is that so?」

「Fufu, are you curious? But it’s still a secret. I will use it when the time comes and make you astonished then.」

(She looks like she really wants me to ask……)

Seeing Lisha who was folding her arms while puffing out her chest, Lux smiled wryly in his heart.

But, right now his sense of duty as Lisha’s personal knight won over his curiosity.

「And, what is this official business about? I heard that at the end of the year, there will be a banquet where the Four Great Nobles are gathered though──」

Regarding that, Lux would attend as long as there was no emergency business.

But the talk this time seemed like it wouldn’t be about that.

「That’s──you see. A bit after this, MotherHaha-ue will come to do an inspection of the Academy. At that time, you will be together with me to greet her.」

「Her majesty Queen Raffi will?」

Lux was surprised in his heart hearing Lisha’s words.

Although the distance from the royal capital until here wasn’t too far, but it was quite a distance.

For her to come directly in this kind of season with a strange timing, there was a possibility that it was about an important talk that couldn’t be conveyed through letter or messenger.

「I was told that Haha-ue absolutely wants you to be present at the talk too. It will be great if it isn’t bad news but──」

Lisha was usually filled with energy, but when it was time for official business as a Princess, she would sometimes show her unconfident appearance.

Lux knew that the cause was the events of her past.

That was why Lux smiled like usual to reassure Lisha.

「Don’t worry. I believe Lisha-sama has done really well. About the case of Babel this time too, you protected Triport while I was absent.」

「I, is that so? Really?」

Lisha’s cheeks blushed red and she looked up at Lux happily.

As always it was lovely how her expression could quickly change so drastically.

「Yes, it’s true. Lisha-sama is a princess that I’m proud to serve.」

「Lux……. The, then, the reward for last time──」

「Eh……?」

Lux was bewildered at her sudden words.

But, for some reason Lisha was fidgeting while her gaze was wandering around shyly.

「That’s, I noticed when last time you went on a trip with that airhead girl. Simply waiting without being able to go to meet up is really lonely. That’s why, I have to start by my own initiative.」

「Lisha, sama?」

「Co, come on quickly!? I heard from somewhere that a man mustn’t make a woman wait.」

「Eerr…… I, I get it.」

Lux was carried away by the flow without understanding what was demanded from him and walked towards her.

Seeing Lisha who was acting different from usual, Lux’s heart was pounding hard while he caressed Lisha’s soft head.

In addition to her adorableness and loveliness that was like a small animal, the prettiness of her red eyes looking up at him caused him to unconsciously stare in fascination.

「Thi, this isn’t what I mean but, well, it’s fine I guess. I also like this enough……」

It seemed that what he did was different from what Lisha had in mind, but it seemed she was satisfied somehow.

(As I thought, Lisha-sama is cute.)

She was really close to him since their first meeting so he tended to forget but, now he reconfirmed once more that similar to his other close friends, she was also a really charming girl.

Thanks to Celis breaking his sense of values that would be unduly distant somewhat towards others, the way he looked at Lisha as an object of respect had also slightly changed now.

Until now Lisha prioritizing to tune and repair Lux’s Drag-Ride over her own, too, might be the flip side of her genuine fondness towards him.

(Such thing, it’s just my overly convenient thinking I think.)

Lux smiled wryly and immediately erased that thought.

He must not get any strange ideas towards the girls who were close to him.

He was still a criminal from the imperial family of the Old Empire in the middle of a mission.

At the very least, he couldn’t lose focus until he saved the New Kingdom from the Sacred Eclipse as a Seven Dragon Paladin in three months time.

(But── if that’s over)

Recently, there was a part of him that was thinking of such thing in a corner of his heart.

Seeing Lisha who allowed her head to be caressed looking like she was enjoying it even despite the embarrassment that she seemed to feel, Lux continued doing what he did in a daze. It was then,

「Lisha-sama and Lux-chiii! Her majesty has arrived here! Leave behind the Drag-Rides and come to the headmaster’s office ASAAAP!」

「──!?」

Lux who returned to his senses from Tillfur’s voice exchanged glances with Lisha in surprise.

After staring at each other with serious faces for a few seconds, they smiled wryly with a troubled look.

「Good grief, even though we were finally at a good place. As I thought it’s really hard being a princess.」

「I will help you, Lisha-sama.」

After Lux said that soothingly, he quickly presented his hand.

Lisha took his hand a bit shyly, then the two of them started walking towards the headmaster’s office.

Part 3

While heading towards the headmaster’s office, there were already a lot of guards in front of the room.

It seemed that Relie temporarily excused herself, and inside there were only the Queen and her assistant.

When they entered after receiving permission, the nostalgic face of the Queen was there along with her aide, the prime minister Nulph.

「Looks like you are in good health, Lisha. I have heard about your efforts even at the royal capital.」

Perhaps because this time she came here with the pretext of inspecting the Academy, Queen Raffi was wearing a dress that wasn’t too showy. She first faced Lisha and smiled at her.

As always, she was a woman with manner that wasn’t typical of a queen in a good meaning.

She didn’t have the dominating aura that overwhelmed other people, but she possessed gentleness and intellectual grace.

In response, Lux and Lisha first kneeled towards her, then Lisha gave her greetings formally.

「It’s my delight to hear that your majesty. To be able to bask in the glory of your royal visit at this chance──」

「There is no need for the stiff greeting. This place is not the audience hall after all.」

「Then, long time no see, Haha-ue.」

After Lisha spoke really tensely, Lux also lifted up his face next.

「It has been a long time your majesty. It’s great that you are in good health.」

「Yes, you too have a very good look now on your face. Compared to five years ago when we first parted, now you look far more lively.」

Hearing those words, Lux slightly recalled five years ago.

Lux who was captured as a survivor of the imperial family was given amnesty and released. He was given permission to travel around the New Kingdom as the Chore Prince while chasing after Fugil with the status of a criminal just as Lux wished.

It was the arrangement of Raffi who was the wife of Count Atismata, because she knew the circumstances.

Lux could spend his time in peace and tranquility like now was also because of the existence of Raffi who took over the country as queen.

While recalling such thing, Raffi started to talk about the present situation.

First was about the conspicuous service of Lux and Lisha that had saved the New Kingdom several times.

The state of affairs of the New Kingdom including the Ruins. The situation regarding the Lords including other countries. The tentative settlement regarding the case of Heiburg.

All those situations were working out somehow right now, and in the present when the Ruins investigation was halted, there was no big problem occurring.

「This too is all thanks to you, Lux. I’m really grateful that you are giving your all for the sake of the New Kingdom.」

After she concisely finished that talk, Raffi said her thanks once more.

「I’m honored, your majesty.」

In response, Lux also answered respectfully. For some reason Lisha beside him also puffed up her chest proudly as though it was her who was thanked.

──But here, words that could be said as predictable in a sense came to him.

「Incidentally Lux, I wish to ask you one thing, how much do you know about the secret of the Old Empire?」

She was asking that with a relaxed attitude without any particular change in her manner.

That more than anything was what caused Lux and Lisha to harbor nervousness.

「……I had told all the facts that I knew that day when the revolution ended. Until now I had also reported the information related to the Old Empire that I obtained after that without omitting anything.」

Not just the matter about Hayes, even the matter of the Lords when they appeared led by Fugil, Lux reported all important information related to the Old Empire without hiding anything.

It was only the information about the name of the Holy Arcadia Empire that came out from the ancient document of the Ruins that Airi deciphered that wasn’t reported right away, but then it became a common knowledge among the leaders of each country and the senior statesmen of the New Kingdom after the world summit.

While Lux was waiting for a reply timidly, Raffi smiled wryly and loosened her expression.

「Please don’t worry. I am not doubting you at all. It’s just, there is one thing from the past that is a puzzle no matter what.」

「That is──」

When Lux asked that question, prime minister Nulph who was waiting opened the lock of the jewel box he was holding.

Inside the box that was securely safeguarded, a transparent crystal about as big as a human’s head, a Grand Force was placed.

「──!?」

「Her majesty wishes to ask once more, whether you know anything about this.」

Prime Minister Nulph asked with a tone that was rigid and tense, but calm to the end.

Seeing him along with Lisha turn stiff while holding their breaths, Queen Raffi continued the talk.

「A giant crystal was discovered in the treasure warehouse when the Old Empire was destroyed. At the time we didn’t know what this thing was, but there was only a note left behind that this is something important in regards to the Ruins.」

After that, thinking about the investigation of this crystal, it was decided for the Academy in Cross Field to manage it due to its close proximity to a Ruin and also because it had a combat force nearby.

──But, after that due to Saniya who was a spy of the illegal arms dealer Hayes investigating about it, the New Kingdom held suspicion about the crystal. Then along with the arrival of the Lords, the mystery of the crystal’s existence became clear.

It was a key to open the path towards that land where the legacy of the ancient era was sleeping──Avalon. An important item that was hidden within the body of one of the seven Ragnarok.

「According to my and Nulph’s thinking, we are guessing that perhaps this came from the sixth Ruin, Garden that is nearby this Cross Field.」

After taking into account the present situation, that was the only natural conclusion.

Seeing that it was sleeping inside the treasure warehouse of the Old Empire, nine out of ten, this Grand Force could be hypothesized to be something that came from within the New Kingdom’s territory.

And then, right now, after the Grand Forces of Babel and Ark had been recovered from each Ragnarok there and installed at those Ruins’ deepest part, by the process of elimination there was a high possibility that this was the Grand Force for the Garden.

「Honestly speaking, at that time we couldn’t even imagine that this crystal is a treasure that influences the fate of the world. Besides, thinking about the danger of a thief like Dragon Marauder aiming for it, I believe that the decision to not give this information even to other countries was not a mistake.」

Queen Raffi continued matter-of-factly looking vaguely at a loss.

Lux was also in agreement regarding that.

「But, the situation changed too drastically in these few months.」

Prime Minister Nulph added.

The descendant of the ancient people, the Lords declared that an act of betrayal like hiding information regarding the Ruins investigation would be crushed thoroughly. It had become a situation where they couldn’t tell at this late hour that they were in possession of something really important like a Grand Force from the very beginning.

「In other words, we already cannot just reveal this honestly──」

Nulph nodded to Lisha’s straightforward question.

「The traitor that the Lords mentioned also hasn’t been discovered, and Dragon Marauder is also going strong. In this situation where every country is maintaining the equilibrium, if we show that kind of opening, we might be accused of betrayal. After all every country has already invested a lot of funds and soldiers for conquering the Ruins.」

The liberation of Avalon was nearing──if the ancient technology and treasure were made clear, the possibility that another country would take advantage of this flaw of the New Kingdom couldn’t be denied.

「Then, what should we……」

When Lisha was about to say that, Queen Raffi silently turned her gaze towards the window that took a whole side of the wall.

「We thought of a countermeasure. We will talk about this from now. Can I rely on you two for this?」

Like that Queen Raffi presented a top secret mission to escape from this responsibility and made it acceptable for the New Kingdom to possess the Grand Force.

Naturally Lux and Lisha couldn’t refuse. The plan would be carried out under their leadership in ten more days.

Part 4

「Fuu……」

Before noon, right after the briefing session was finally over.

Lux was walking in the corridor of the Academy after school while leaking out a sigh. Beside him Coral’s eyes opened wide in puzzlement.

Within the two weeks schedule, Yoruka would be in charge of guarding Lux whether in the morning or the afternoon each day. Today’s morning was Coral’s turn, so he met Lux as soon as the talk was over.

When Lux hurriedly put his hand on his mouth, Coral made a teasing smile.

「That’s no good you know, Lux-kun. If you sigh, happiness will escape from there. That was what Greifer said.」

「Greifer did?」

Lux tilted his head because it didn’t match his image of that peevish young man.

「Yep. I was the one who taught him though, persistently at that.」

Lux also smiled wryly hearing Coral’s next line.

(That was dangerous. I almost mentioned about the matter just now.)

The top secret mission that was requested by Queen Raffi naturally could not be told to Coral who was an outsider──no, not just him, but even to all the other people in the Academy.

Because Lux’s fatigue due to Over Limit’s backlash was strong, originally he wanted to take it easy, but in reality the matter that he had to think about had become big.

After that Lisha and Raffi had a talk between parent and child privately, so Lux got out of the room early, but──this mission was quite difficult.

「Excuse me. We have something to talk for a bit with the both of you. Can you two accompany…… not that, receive a request from us?」

While Lux was thinking of such thing, some female students suddenly called out to them.

Lux knew their faces, they were in the same year as him. But he wasn’t really close to them.

Lux somehow sensed that it would be troublesome from the curiosity and expectation that were reflected in their eyes, but if they said that it was a request, he had no choice but to listen.

Lux showed a complicated smile while he was going to reply to the girls, but then Coral quickly walked to the front.

「I’m sorry. Lux-kun is now doing a different request. But if you girls don’t mind if it’s with me, then I’ll do the chore in his place, is it alright with you all?」

「Eh, is, is it okay!? We are also interested in Coral-kun, then──perhaps it’s alright?」

The girl in the front who seemed to be the leader asked her surroundings. She received agreement from them and settled the talk.

Lux stiffened from the sudden development, Coral whispered into his ear with a small voice.

「And so, I will also do Lux-kun’s chore. I know how your personality is, but it’s no good to listen to everything you know? Resting is also a job.」

「Coral……」

Coral winked with the air of knowing everything and he was led away by the girls.

Lux felt gratitude to Coral’s heartfelt consideration, then suddenly he felt a presence behind him.

「I’m sorry to have made you wait, Aruji-sama──」

Come to think of it, it was Yoruka’s turn to guide him for today’s afternoon.

When he turned around towards her, something shocking entered his eyes.

「……Wait, Yoruka!?」

「Yes. It’s me, Aruji-sama.」

She gave a pleasant and carefree smile just like usual, but Lux was dumbfounded and stiffened.

It was shocking.

She wasn’t wearing that showy and mysterious black outfit, and not the Academy’s uniform either.

On her hair wasn’t the usual red ribbon but a white Alice band. She was wearing a frilly dress with black base color.

Her hand was holding a large musical instrument case. Lux somehow guessed that the content was a Sword Device, but someone who met her for the first time surely wouldn’t guess that.

Her figure that was unified with a wholly elegant design was exactly like the figure of a noble young lady.

That appearance which he had never even dreamed about caused Lux to become speechless.

「Err, what’s going on? That appearance……」

After a full few seconds later, he asked her once more.

「Headmaster Relie prepared this for me. She said that it will be better for me to have some civilian clothes──it doesn’t suit me?」

「No, it looks really good on you── wait, it was Relie-san?」

Lux tilted his head due to the really curious connection.

Then, she told him how it was Philuffy’s request through Relie towards Yoruka.

「She wants me to protect Aruji-sama in her place while she is in the middle of recuperation.」

「Phi-chan is……I see.」

Lux’s expression relaxed at Philuffy’s usual consideration while feeling convinced.

「I also received a message from the headmaster. It will become noisy somehow if it’s in the Academy, so I should bring Aruji-sama to outside──」

Next, it seemed that Relie also told her that she could be relieved because if it was Yoruka, then there wouldn’t be any development between the two of them.

Just what was she saying…….

「Right. Then this is a rare chance, so I think I’ll accept the kind offer.」

Lux nodded smilingly like that, then right after that, Yoruka stiffened before the gate for some reason.

「……What’s wrong?」

When Lux tilted his head, the girl looked down and spoke with unusual hesitation.

「This is troubling. This is my first time going outside properly, so I don’t know where to take Aruji-sama.」

「Wait, eeeeh!? You have never walked around Cross Field yet!?」

Even though it was already a few months since she came to the Academy.

「Of course, I have grasped the geography in general, but I don’t know any place to entertain Aruji-sama. Speaking from the view point of security, I believe the best plan is to stay quiet in an inn but──」

「Haa……」

Lux’s shoulders dropped crestfallenly while he faced Yoruka once more.

「Could it be Yoruka, you have never played around properly?」

「Yes. Now that Aruji-sama mentioned it, that’s the case.」

The girl muttered while tilting her head.

This was a serious illness.

──Or rather, perhaps the fault lay with Lux himself because he didn’t really give a follow up to Yoruka in regards to her daily life.

Lux who concluded that decided to use this chance to bring her to look around the city.

「Then, this is a rare chance, so how about we go somewhere? If it’s just a bit, then I also know some places where we can have fun.」

「…………」

Yoruka touched her lips with her index finger in a thinking posture, looking like she was somewhat in wonder.

Lux thought that she would surely refuse, but before long she showed a bright carefree smile and nodded.

「Then, please take care of me, Aruji-sama.」

「──Right.」

Her smile with her appearance of a lovely young lady caused Lux’s heart to jump inside for a moment.

(As I thought, it’s also the case in her normal outfit but, Yoruka is really a beauty huh……)

Usually it was hard to notice because of that peculiar getup and her mysterious atmosphere but, when she dressed up like this he thought of that once more.

Lux gently pulled her hand and started walking while harboring a mysterious feeling of exaltation and anxiety.

Part 5

First they had a light meal from a food cart. After that they visited a barn that was managed by an acquaintance of Lux.

Because he had done the chore of taking care of the horses before, he was able to get an agreement from the manager of the barn fairly easily.

「Ou, so you are walking around while bringing a different girl again, huh. Even so, the girl this time is also amazingly pretty…….」

Lux was made fun of like that by a youth who he hadn’t met for a long time while trying to show a horse to Yoruka.

Just in case, Lux made Yoruka promise to not kill the horse even if it rampaged, then he tried to make her feed the horse and pet it.

「It is calmer than expected. Besides──it’s warm.」

Of course it would be hard for an amateur to ride a horse, so they didn’t do that, but Yoruka somehow gazed at the horse with a satisfied look.

Next they headed to a small lake at the outskirts of the city.

In front of a cabin, there was an old man who was also Lux’s acquaintance from doing chores. They borrowed fishing rods from him and went fishing at the lake.

「Fishing is one of the few pastimes that I did with my little brother so……the presence of a fish is easy to sense.」

Perhaps it should be expected from someone who originated from an island country in the east.

The caught fish could also be brought home as a souvenir, but they presented their catch to the old man and left that place, then next they headed to a tailor shop.

It was the first request from Yoruka, but because Yoruka had almost no casual clothes of her own, they headed to a high class tailor shop.

Of course Lux was thinking of having her try out some clothes, and if there was anything that she liked, he would have the tailor make it for her.

Even though he looked like this, he had some money at hand from his earnings through Syvalles.

He couldn’t waste money, but there would be no problem if it was just one outfit as a present.

「Aruji-sama, what kind of clothes do you like? I have no preference of my own.」

Yoruka asked him that when they entered the tailor shop.

At first he thought of making her chose what she liked, but he had no clue of what would be good, so thinking of clothes with a different impression from usual, he suggested to her about choosing something that gave a neat and clean impression.

「I have finished changing Aruji-sama. Please take a look.」

「Let’s see──wait, eeeeeeh!?」

Yoruka beckoned Lux and he entered the changing room. Right at that moment Lux’s head became pure white.

Naked──no, the girl in underwear appearance with an atmosphere that was different from usual was exposing her skin before Lux.

Her long glossy hair that was held by an Alice band, and the pure white lacy underwear and garter belt that were decorated with black ribbons looked dazzling in his eyes.

Not only was his gaze stolen by that sight unconsciously, she was emitting a seductive sex appeal that made him unable to tear off his gaze from her.

「Wait, what are you doing Yoruka!? Wear clothes properly──」

「My? I’m already wearing it. I asked the shop assistant for something that is as neat and clean as possible to answer Aruji-sama’s taste you know?」

「I didn’t intend to mean about underwear you know!? Just choose the clothing to wear on top of them!」

Yoruka’s cheeks were dyed red in a blush. Lux faced her and yelled with a similarly red face.

「To choose only clothes with neat and clean style……that means, Aruji-sama’s preference is for me to not wear underwear then. If that’s the case from now on I’ll do so even at the Academy──」

「Stop it!? Since when has this become forcing me to do such embarrassment play!?」

「It can’t be helped. I will follow the shop assistant’s recommendation here.」

「Ah, right. With that──……」

Lux averted his gaze in a fluster and left from there.

He thought that her atmosphere was different from usual, but in the end it was the usual Yoruka.

Lux let out a really conflicted sigh while waiting for the shopping to end.

Part 6

The sun set faster when it was Winter.

At the time of dusk, when the sun was almost sinking in the West, Lux and Yoruka were taking a break in the central plaza.

They bought fatty meat skewers from a food cart and ate it there while the people walking down the road were calling out to Lux one after another.

「Ou, ain’t this Lux. Help me out next time again.」

「Oi you. Lux is already the Princess’s knight. Good grief.」

A middle aged husband and wife conversed like that, then a slightly older youth manning a stall too,

「You are taking another beautiful girl again huh, introduce me to one at least.」

「Lux-kun too has become distant huuh……」

There were also city girls looking up to the sky with a faraway look while saying such things.

In the end, it became noisy even when he went outside the Academy. Lux smiled wryly at that while responding to them, but there was just one thing that was decisively different from the past.

「You are trusted by everyone, Aruji-sama. It’s not just your character──even your skill in Drag-Rides. That aspect is the difference between Aruji-sama and my little brother.」

Yoruka who was sitting down beside him suddenly smiled while saying that to him.

What was different from before, it was what Lux obtained from the Academy.

During his five years of doing chores, although he won over the trust from the people, they only thought of him as the Weakest Undefeated, a Drag-Knight that wouldn’t attack at all in his matches. But now he was renowned for having protected Syvalles and the Academy, and furthermore even Cross Field itself from the attacks of the Abyss, Ragnarok, and so on.

Right now Lux had become an existence that people acknowledged in admiration as a Drag-Knight who protected the New Kingdom, as well as someone who was chosen as Lisha’s personal knight.

「I can be like this thanks to everyone. Of course, it’s also thanks to you, Yoruka.」

However, Lux was thinking like that not from being modest.

He was able to wield his strength exactly because of the girls’ consideration and cooperation with him.

「I──am?」

It seemed that Yoruka herself had no awareness of that. She tilted her head in puzzlement.

「The other day, when defeating the Ragnarok Metatron too, I heard that you stood up to face it many times even when it was an untouchable opponent due to the attack reflection. Thanks to that I was able to find the clue for defeating it and won.」

「It’s something that I ought to feel embarrassed about. Originally, I had to remove the enemy approaching Aruji-sama instead of troubling you to take care of it.」

「Even so──I’m grateful to Yoruka. Thank you.」

He said that and took Yoruka’s hand.

The cool and smooth skin texture felt pleasant. A mysterious bittersweet feeling overflowed in Lux’s chest.

On the other hand Yoruka’s serious face stared still without blinking at that hand.

「So, sorry. That’s, for holding your hand for too long──ah……」

When Lux said that and his hand was going to let go, Yoruka took his hand instead without letting go.

「Aruji-sama’s hand, is warm.」

Different from usual, she murmured with a faintly uplifted tone.

But, she immediately let go of his hand and smiled while looking at the setting sun.

「But──there is no time to enjoy that. My value lies solely in becoming a blade to destroy those who are aiming at Aruji-sama.」

「That’s, when Yoruka’s little brother died──」

Lux almost said that, but he then closed his mouth hurriedly.

While Yoruka was branded as a failure of a princess in the nation of Koto, she was granted with the position as the royal guard of her little brother, the candidate to become the next king.

But, her little brother was betrayed by his chief vassals and he was offered as a sacrifice.

The girl who was said to be disqualified as a human tried to discover the meaning of her life by clinging to the position of a tool as her little brother’s servant but── Yoruka was made to realize that she had no qualification or anything for that, and so, as expected, she wasn’t human or anything.

「Yes, I failed at that time. I was only thinking of myself. The fellows who tried to conveniently use my little brother who succeeded the throne while still young. Even though I vaguely felt apprehensions towards their existence and thought to get rid of them──」

Her tone was bland as though she was chatting casually about an everyday matter.

However, Yoruka smiled while emitting a vaguely bottomless aura.

Instantly a bad premonition was born inside Lux. When he noticed, he asked her.

「Could it be, your little brother, stopped you from doing……?」

It wasn’t like Lux had any inkling of what Yoruka was planning to do.

Lux was only thinking, that if by any chance, if Yoruka was going to try to do the same thing, then he himself would surely stop her too.

Yoruka didn’t answer. She simply kept her mouth closed while her smile was deepening.

People were vanishing from the central plaza. At that time when the moon was hanging completely in the sky, Yoruka stood up.

「Let’s go back, Aruji-sama. It won’t be good for the body to stay in this cold air.」

「Ah, right. I, guess……」

Yoruka who said that had already returned to her usual self.

But, different from when they had just set out, she didn’t try to link her hand with his hand beside her anymore.

Lux softly called out to Yoruka instead of taking her hand from his own initiative.

「Say Yoruka. Since you came to the New Kingdom and entered the Academy, did anything change? Did you find anything important to you?」

「……Nothing has changed. Aruji-sama’s younger sister and Noct-san, then everyone in Syvalles has treated me well but, I’m still the same as ever.」

「……I see.」

Lux murmured looking somewhat sad while he noticed that Yoruka sometimes was caressing her musical instrument case.

「That Sword Device is something really important for you isn’t it?」

Even in the middle of the date she would keep holding it close to herself, the Sword Device of Yato no Kami.

He thought that in a sense it was an attachment that was just like her. Lux leaked out a wry smile unconsciously.

「In the end this is the only thing that I can understand. If it’s a useful tool, then it’s only reasonable for anyone to want to put it at their side and treasure it. Someone like me who is not a human can only understand something at that level.」

That was why Yoruka earnestly continued to try to become Lux’s 『useful tool』.

Surely it was something like that.

But──

「Is it, really like that?」

「Eh……?」

Lux suddenly muttered the question emerging in his heart while they were on the path back to the Academy.

「The reason why Yoruka continues to be fixated on that sword, and also in being a servant. It might not simply be because you don’t understand anything about humans. It could be that Yoruka yourself simply doesn’t notice it too.」

「……That’s an interesting interpretation Aruji-sama.」

Yoruka’s eyes opened wide in astonishment for a moment, then her eyes narrowed bewitchingly.

「But, someone like me cannot answer everyone’s expectations. After all I’m just a mere thing in the end.」

「…………」

Her smile was bright as usual.

For such smile to look lonely no matter what to Lux might be just his imagination.

Even since this day, there was nothing particularly different in Yoruka’s state even while she was striving in her guard duty that she did alternately with Coral.

And then, perhaps thanks to the two, or perhaps it was just a coincidence.

The period of rest was passing peacefully without any report of even a single Abyss showing up, not to mention any enemy like Dragon Marauder.

Like that, ten days later, the outing to Garden was finally carried out.

Part 7

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

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

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

Airi would also accompany them as a record keeper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「You are──!?」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「────」

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

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

Hearing his bitter tone, Lux easily guessed the circumstance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lisha tried to refuse bluntly once more.

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

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

「Fortress’s defense……?」

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

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

Singlen calmly nodded at Sharis’s question.

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

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

「……-!」

Lisha groaned without hiding her anger.

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

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

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

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

「…………」

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

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

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

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

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

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

There were only three Ruins remaining.

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

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

(Don’t tell me, he suspected?)

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

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

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

Lux hesitated seeing the anxious Lisha.

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

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

「Eh……?」

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

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

「I see, so it’s something like that.」

Sharis lightly hit her palm after a bit of pause.

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

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

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

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

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

「Yes!」

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

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

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

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

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

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

「Fuh, well yeah.」

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

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

「Her majesty Raffi was……?」

Those words made Lux felt slightly saved too.

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

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

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

「Saaay, we are also here though?」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(This atmosphere is relaxing somehow.)

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

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

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

「So that’s, Garden right now.」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「Eeeh!?」

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

Noct handed Airi who was on her shoulder to Lux.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「Please be careful Noct! Reinforcements!」

「──!?」

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

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

「This is──an invisible Abyss?」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「I will go, to lure away the enemy.」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「Eh──?」

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

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

「──Break Purge-!」

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

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

「This is, don’t tell me──」

Light particles converged and took shape into new dragons.

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

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

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

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

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

「Everyone, amazing……」

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

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

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

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

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

「…………」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「Wwha-!?」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

「Yoruka too be careful.」

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

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

Lux smiled with a troubled look and parted from Yoruka.

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

「Yes! Lisha-sama!」

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

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

「Everyone──stay safe.」

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noct concluded calmly and Sharis also nodded.

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

The end of the year event.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The three nodded at each other and resumed the battle.

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