Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Capítulo 4

Capítulo 4 – A Criminosa Capturada

Parte 1

Uma memória cintilou como um flash.

A sétima Ruína, Moon.

Era um enorme castelo flutuando no céu, olhando para o mundo.

Dez anos antes, Soffice Xfer acordou de seu sono ali.

“P-Prazer em conhecê-la desu! Xfer-sama!”

“…………Quem é você?”

“Me chamo Re Plica desu! Haaa, que bom! Você acordou direito.”

Quando Soffice acordou dentro de uma cápsula estranha, a garota que apareceu à sua frente usava um vestido que se ajustava bem ao corpo, com orelhas mecânicas que pareciam orelhas de raposa crescendo em sua cabeça.

A garota não era humana, mas a Gear Leader desta Ruína— ela se apresentou como a Autômata Re Plica.

Naquela época, Soffice já tinha sete anos, mas ela não se lembrava de nada.

Se era seu passado, ou a razão pela qual ela estava aqui.

Em vez de dizer que ela esqueceu, parecia que ela não conseguia se lembrar de nada.

“Minha cabeça dói……”

Quando ela pensou, uma estática como uma tempestade de areia apareceu em sua visão.

A luz tremeluziu.

Ela nem mesmo entendia o que deveria fazer dentro da estranha fortaleza mecânica.

Em contraste com esse pensamento, Soffice estava se adaptando à vida na Moon.

O que ela sabia era que ela era membro de uma raça ancestral chamada Xfer, os protetores das Ruínas.

Ela era descendente das pessoas que construíram esta ruína.

“Por que… você me acordou?”

“É porque há movimento na área circundante desu. Hibernando em uma cápsula você para de envelhecer, mas você tem o dever de Xfer desu. Além disso, originalmente você tem que encontrar uma pessoa para ser seu par e dar à luz a próxima geração desu.”

“…………”

Em suma, a razão pela qual ela foi acordada parecia ser porque havia um movimento de outras partes que estavam interferindo com a Ruína, e também para que ela pudesse dar à luz filhos da próxima geração enquanto estivesse nela.

Soffice teve que sair desta Ruína estranha, ou mesmo se ela não saísse, ela poderia usar o material de base de crianças que foi preservado em um armazenamento refrigerado para dar à luz a próxima geração.

Disseram-lhe que tinha esse dever.

“Incômodo, rejeitado.”

Mas Soffice não queria fazer isso.

“Espe-!? Por que desu-? É inesperado que a Xfer-sama de repente abandone seu dever desu–. Você não pensa em como seus ancestrais se sentirão!?”

“Eu realmente não sei sobre meus ancestrais. E parece que também não há informações sobre isso.”

Soffice, que estava com uma expressão de tédio, respondeu secamente assim.

“Eu também não tenho memória e família, exceto minha irmã mais nova. É por isso que estou pensando em viver somente nós duas harmoniosamente.”

Soffice percebeu a existência de sua irmã mais nova em um ponto e a acordou. Ela desejou uma vida com as três.

Soffice, sua irmã mais nova Uruk, depois a Gear Leader Re Plica.

Sobre a questão de deixar descendentes, Soffice achou que era algo irrelevante.

Mesmo assim, como não havia nada a fazer, ela ouviu o pedido da Re Plica e aprendeu a lidar com um Drag-Ride.

A própria Uruk também tinha talento para usar Drag-Ride, mas como ela não era adequada para isso, Soffice se esforçou em seu treinamento no lugar de sua irmã mais nova.

O tempo passou assim, e Soffice fez dezesseis, enquanto Uruk tinha quatorze. Naquela época, chegou um ponto de inflexão.

“Ei, Onee-chan. Eu quero ver o mundo lá em baixo!”

Essa frase foi o começo de tudo.

O destino que as meninas tricotaram sem saber e o encontro casual com um destino oculto.

Milagrosamente, foi também o mesmo começo da tragédia que ocorreu há vários milênios.

O início desse desejo aconteceria novamente desta vez.

…………

—

“……!?”

Frio.

O frio do ar que parecia cortar a pele fez Soffice estremecer e acordar.

Ela imediatamente tentou se abraçar, então percebeu a sensação de metal que obstruía o movimento de seus pulsos.

“Eu, o que é…… —!?”

A personalidade da Soffice era normalmente difícil de ser perturbada, mas, como esperado, agora seus olhos se abriram em perplexidade.

Seus dois braços foram puxados acima de sua cabeça, enquanto suas duas pernas também foram conectadas com correntes, onde cada uma foi fixada em um canto da sala.

Parecia que o Sword Device em sua cintura foi levado junto com o cinto da espada porque eles não estavam lá.

Ela foi completamente— capturada pelo inimigo.

“Kuh……”

Mas, a luta ainda não havia sido decidida.

Seu prospecto era extremamente fraco, mas ela tinha que resistir mesmo assim.

Para o bem de sua irmãzinha que morreu desejando paz e este mundo.

Parte 2

“Nn……”

Lux, que acordava no sofá gasto, recuperou-se do frio da madrugada.

Quando ele abriu o relógio de bolso que tinha, a hora era quase antes do nascer do sol.

“…………”

A porta da sala subterrânea não foi aberta, mas ele ficou preocupado com a condição da Soffice e olhou para dentro.

Não havia nenhum sinal suspeito.

Na primeira sala entre as quatro salas da prisão, havia uma menina de pele morena que tinha seus quatro membros acorrentados.

“As correntes não devem ser tão apertadas, mas parece muito doloroso, hein.”

O próprio Lux, devido ao seu status de membro da família imperial do Antigo Império, teve a experiência de entrar na prisão várias vezes. Ele também podia imaginar a angústia de ser acorrentado.

O fogo na lareira havia apagado, então ele jogou lenha nova na lareira da prisão e acendeu o fogo.

(Deve haver uma cabana de serviço fora do hangar, então vamos preparar o chá e trazê-lo aqui.)

Depois de observar Soffice dentro da sala, Lux saiu da sala subterrânea por um momento.

Quando ele voltou carregando uma xícara de chá em uma bandeja, a garota acorrentada soltou um gemido.

“U-uh……”

“Você está acordada?”

“Esse lugar…… Onde—”

Quando a garota levantou a voz com os olhos ligeiramente abertos, Lux sorriu para ela.

Seu objetivo era diminuir a cautela da Soffice, mas é claro que ela não baixou a guarda.

“Bom Dia. Err, Soffice-san… posso te chamar assim?”

“…………”

Silêncio com um olhar sério foi devolvido a ele no lugar de uma resposta.

Para Lux, foi a reação mais preocupante.

“Err, você se lembra da noite passada? Você tentou proteger a Airi e foi derrotada pela Capitã Magialca, embora—”

“…………”

Silêncio novamente.

“Err── Eu trouxe água e chá aqui, você está com sede?”

“…………”

O silêncio não mudou, mas seu olhar olhou brevemente acima de sua cabeça— em direção à algema que a restringia.

“Não, como esperado, ainda não posso liberar isso. Eu acho que é desagradável, mas não dói certo?”

“Frio, estou morrendo de frio.”

“Eh……?”

“Estou apenas falando sozinha. Não tenho nada a dizer à família dos traidores.”

“…………”

Soffice desviou o rosto de lado enquanto dizia isso com um olhar sério.

(De alguma forma, ela é uma garota peculiar hein…)

Philuffy e Noct eram igualmente taciturnas, mas em comparação com sua amiga de infância que seguia seu próprio ritmo e com a criada calma e composta, Soffice era diferente em algum lugar.

“Entendo. Aqui, beba devagar.”

Parecia que ela estava desejando o chá, então Lux levou a xícara de chá à boca. Talvez sua garganta estivesse seca porque ela bebeu de uma vez.

“–Tsuu……!”

“Espe–, não se apresse, se você beber tão rápido—”

Como Soffice lutou contra o calor do chá, o chá espirrou em suas roupas.

Lux pensou que, como esperado, ela não poderia beber bem por causa da postura acorrentada e ela poderia se queimar, então ele usou uma das mãos para tirar a corrente que estava prendendo seus braços acima. Foi naquele momento—

“A vitória é minha.”

“……!?”

Os olhos sem emoção da Soffice brilharam. Logo depois disso, a corrente da algema que prendia o braço dela foi emaranhada ao redor do pulso do Lux.

Sem pausa, ela o puxou e apertou a corrente em seu pescoço com força.

Beber muito rápido e derramar o chá era sua atuação.

“Ku..uh……”

Sem demora, Lux ergueu o braço e evitou que seu pescoço ficasse completamente engasgado, mas a situação era péssima.

Soffice também parecia desesperada. Ela cerrou os dentes e colocou força em ambos os braços.

“Retire as algemas com a mão livre. Se você fizer isso, pelo menos vou poupar sua vida.”

“Eu não posso…… fazer isso.”

“Você vai morrer se for obstinado. Você deve reconhecer sua derrota imediatamente.”

“Se você escapar daqui, não haverá mais chance de conversar…... Eu não quero nós dois tentando nos matar.”

“O que você está dizendo tão tarde—”

No momento em que a respiração da Soffice ficou ligeiramente fora de ordem, ele levantou o pé dela.

“Uwah……”

No momento em que a força deixou seu braço devido ao impacto, Lux tirou a constrição e empurrou-a contra a parede.

Milagrosamente, graças à construção dura de seu colarinho de criminoso, seu pescoço não estava completamente preso pela corrente.

“Kuh...... Eu errei.”

“Haa, haa...... Eu consegui de alguma forma.”

Depois disso, Lux de alguma forma selou a resistência da Soffice enquanto pendurava as mãos com uma corrente novamente.

Ele estava decidido quanto ao contra-ataque dela, mas era mais problemático do que ele imaginava.

Lux também aceitara vários tipos de tarefas até agora, mas, como esperado, ele não tinha experiência em fazer nada que fosse quase tão próximo de ser um carcereiro.

Enquanto Lux não sabia o que perguntar sobre sua história antes de persuadi-la, Soffice observava Lux pensando e, por algum motivo, seu rosto ficou pálido.

“Isto é mau. Este fluxo, ele certamente chamará seus companheiros para me espancar e me linchar…!”

• Tremor* Seu corpo tremia junto com seu Traje de Piloto que estava muito exposto e ela estava começando a ficar assustada.

“Eu não farei nada parecido. Ou melhor, agora sou só eu quem está de guarda aqui—”

Lux notou o deslize de sua língua ao dizer isso.

Se ele desse a ela essa informação, a possibilidade de ela tentar escapar novamente se tornaria maior.

“A-Apenas um homem, está me vigiando?”

Mas, talvez Soffice tenha percebido uma nuance diferente nas palavras do Lux—

“Oh não. Este é certamente, um fluxo onde receberei tortura obscena deste jovem……!”

“Eu não vou! Como você pode chegar a esse tipo de conclusão!?”

Lux negou em grande pânico, mas Soffice estava ficando completamente assustada.

“……Não, espere. Talvez, sim, minha técnica sedutora possa ser eficaz nele.”

“Se você vai me enganar, tente falar em voz baixa!”

“Jovem aí, se você tirar a corrente, farei algo realmente incrível para você… talvez?”

“Além do mais, é impossível no momento em que você só consegue mencionar o método de forma tão indiferente! Não vou ficar tentado de jeito nenhum, mesmo se você me disser isso logo depois do que acabou de acontecer!”

“…………”

‘Haa, haa……’, depois que Lux respondeu tão alto, Soffice baixou a cabeça em uma depressão.

Até agora, ele a tinha encontrado várias vezes nas reuniões dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, mas ela nunca tinha falado, então ele não entendia sua personalidade.

Claro, também era possível que mesmo agora ela estivesse atuando.

(Como eu pensei, ela é uma garota peculiar hein…)

Ele realmente não conseguia vê-la como a garota que transformou a aliança mundial em sua inimiga e liderou o mundo por um fio.

Mas Lux estava começando a pensar que havia margem para negociação em comparação com antes.

Ele não devia baixar a guarda, mas também não havia como demorar muito.

Em vez disso, faltava apenas uma semana para o limite de tempo.

Se Lux não conseguisse persuadir Soffice até então, Magialca a usaria como refém e iniciaria as negociações com a Re Plica levando em consideração a possibilidade de batalha.

Antes que isso acontecesse, ele tinha que conversar com ela tanto quanto possível.

“Hah……!”

“……Qual é o problema?”

Enquanto Lux pensava nessas coisas, Soffice empalideceu de repente.

Lux pensou se ela estava se imaginando tendo uma experiência ruim novamente, mas sua atmosfera era um pouco diferente de antes.

Se ele tivesse que resumir em poucas palavras, ela parecia estar completamente perdida.

“……Tire a corrente, agora. Eu não vou fugir para lugar nenhum, então, rápido!”

Sua expressão estava séria como sempre, mas o suor estava começando a escorrer de sua testa.

Pela sua voz urgente, parecia que algo estava acontecendo com ela, mas—

(Mas, é possível que isso possa ser outra armadilha…)

Como esperado, não havia nenhuma maneira de Lux ser enganado da mesma forma várias vezes.

Ele também estava vigiando Soffice alternadamente com Airi, então ela poderia vir aqui em breve.

Ele adivinhou que seria melhor para ele consultá-la naquele momento.

“Por favor, não há tempo! Ou melhor, não apenas me liberando, eu ficarei preocupado se você não me dizer a localização!”

“Eh……?”

Vendo Soffice respirando com dificuldade ‘haa haa’, Lux finalmente percebeu sua intenção.

Há algum tempo, ela esfregava as coxas.

Pensando bem, desde que ela desmaiou na noite passada, ela não saiu deste lugar.

Além disso── embora a lareira tivesse fogo aceso até o meio, a sala subterrânea no meio do inverno ainda estava fria.

Seu traje também tinha muita exposição da pele, naturalmente esse tipo de fenômeno físico inevitavelmente aconteceria.

“E-Espere um pouco! Vou pensar em uma maneira agora.”

No entanto, o que ele deve fazer nesta situação?

Ele sentiu que em geral haveria um penico no canto da sala, ou uma cova para fazer esse negócio, ou talvez alguém pudesse acompanhar o prisioneiro para ir ao banheiro, mas—

(Se eu estou constantemente observando ela, isso também não é ruim?)

Por outro lado, se ele trouxesse um penico aqui, seria um pouco perigoso libertar ambas as mãos. E nesse caso Lux teria que ser quem abaixasse seu Traje de Piloto e tirasse sua calcinha—

“Eu fui má! Rápido, por favor! Eu não vou escapar!”

“A-Acalme-se! Eu vou deixar você ir! Mas, espere um pouco! Estou pensando em algumas maneiras de fazer isso— ah…!”

O movimento da Soffice, que tremia todo com o rosto pálido, parou abruptamente.

Olhando mais de perto, havia lágrimas nos cantos dos olhos. Seu rosto estava vermelho e ela estava rígida.

*Respingo* O som de água ecoava dentro da prisão mal iluminada.

Ele não sabia o que dizer. Ele estava relutante em testemunhar diretamente uma garota em idade de casar fazendo isso.

“Err, isso, o que eu digo…… desculpe.”

“……Morra. Alguém como você, simplesmente morra–!”

Soffice descartou a máscara de compostura que ela estava usando até agora e olhou para ele com olhos marejados de ressentimento.

(Err, isso é ruim. O que eu faço? Mesmo que eu devesse estar perguntando a história dela e fazê-la abrir seu coração de alguma forma, de alguma forma, o pior desenvolvimento… —!)

Enquanto Lux também estava perplexo e perdendo a cabeça em estado de choque, passos se aproximaram de fora da prisão.

“Nii-san. Como está a Soffice-san? Por enquanto, estou trazendo chá para quando ela estiver acordada, mas— ah…”

*Clang* Airi deixou cair a bandeja metálica que ela trouxe.

Felizmente a xícara não quebrou, mas depois que o lugar foi preenchido com um silêncio, uma atmosfera estranha fluiu.

“V-Você está errada Airi!? Isso é, isso, devo chamar de um mal-entendido, não foi como se eu tivesse feito alguma coisa—!”

“Por favor, saia daqui Nii-san.”

Airi disse isso com um sorriso largo e uma sombra escura cobrindo os olhos.

O fato de ela não ter dito uma única palavra de raiva era aterrorizante.

Lux saiu da prisão desanimado e deixou tudo para Airi.

Bem, foi apenas a parte inferior do corpo da Soffice que ficou molhada, então ele apenas entregou a ela a chave da corrente das pernas e pediu que ela cuidasse disso.

“Haa, eu fiz isso agora…”

O acidente que aconteceu por coincidência porque ele não estava acostumado com o papel de carcereiro foi um ato divino.

Claro que ele não tinha má intenção, mas lamentou que o pior resultado tenha acontecido logo no início.

Lux voltou para o dormitório feminino por enquanto, deixando o resto para o acompanhamento da Airi.

Parte 3

“Meu Deus…… O Nii-san é realmente preocupante.”

Airi saiu primeiro para recolher os preparativos para a limpeza, depois executou o trabalho suspirando.

Soffice estava usando seu Traje de Piloto por baixo da roupa que possuía alta taxa de exposição, então Airi tirou a calça e o Traje de Piloto por baixo.

Ela enxugou o corpo com uma toalha encharcada de água quente, vestiu a calcinha que trouxe como reposição e começou a limpar a prisão.

“Há ventilação aqui, então acho que o cheiro não vai permanecer, mas apenas no caso, eu peguei emprestado o perfume da Shalice-san.”

“Por que… você não chamou seus companheiros?”

Quando Airi estava descansando de esfregar o chão, Soffice, que estava quieta até então, de repente falou.

“O jovem pervertido… seu irmão mais velho deve ter lhe contado como eu o sufoquei. E ainda por que você está trabalhando aqui sozinha? É perigoso.”

“Você está dizendo isso? Mesmo que você só tenha passado por uma experiência terrível porque os outros estão desconfiados de você.”

“…………”

Depois que Airi disse isso soando um pouco exasperada, Soffice ficou em silêncio.

“Não há nenhum significado particular. É só que não quero que isso se torne ainda mais problemático do que isso. Embora o Nii-san tenha habilidade para agir, ele é realmente descuidado em várias coisas.”

“…………”

Soffice, que limpou o corpo e trocou a calcinha, voltou a ter uma expressão calma como antes.

Mas, ela estava olhando fixamente para o comportamento e tom da Airi.

Um estranho silêncio fluiu.

Não era uma sensação de tensão como uma guerra fria, ambos os lados estavam se observando para ver como o outro agiria.

“Posso fazer algumas perguntas?”

“Não posso ficar presa aqui indefinidamente.”

“Você está dizendo que seus subordinados, a Dragon Marauder, virão para resgatá-la? Eu acho que isso é impossível. Anteriormente, devido à comandante da divisão Human Dragon, Drakkhen, ter sido tirada do confinamento da Academia, a segurança ao redor foi aumentada em muito—”

“Eles não são meus subordinados. Recentemente, contratei esses caras, não os conheço bem.”

“É mesmo?”

Airi respondeu com um pouco de surpresa.

Por outro lado, Soffice achou que tinha falado demais, mas seu tom voltou a ser seco mais uma vez.

“Não me importarei de dizer se você me deixar sair daqui. Você ainda tem liberdade para fazer uma boa escolha. Mas nesse ritmo você não será capaz de escolher.”

“O que você quer dizer?”

“Não importa, me deixe sair. Não há muito tempo.”

“Quando diz tempo, você quer dizer o limite de tempo até a destruição do mundo pelo Eclipse Sagrado?”

“…………”

Airi perguntou de volta, mas Soffice não respondeu.

Em seguida, ouviu-se o som de um sino dentro da Academia que avisava a hora do despertar.

“Virei outra vez. Há guardas do lado de fora, então você não deve fazer nada imprudente.”

A rigor, não havia nenhum carcereiro para cuidar especificamente da Soffice, mas Airi disse isso intencionalmente.

Depois que Airi deixou aquele lugar, uma atmosfera fria e silenciosa encheu a prisão.

“Embora ela seja uma inimiga, estou relutante em atacar uma irmã mais nova. O irmão mais velho parece ser descuidado, então vou tentar isso.”

Soffice falava consigo mesma com uma voz baixa que ninguém conseguia ouvir.

“Mas, não há tempo…… Se eu não estiver lá, o bando da Dragon Marauder, eles farão uso da Re Plica e a farão atuar. Se isso acontecer, será ruim.”

Mas, logo depois que Soffice tomou essa decisão de insurreição, ela foi pega de surpresa ao perceber algo.

“Banheiro, da próxima vez que eu quiser ir, o que fazer…”

Part 4

In the sky of the New Kingdom’s western territory, the seventh Ruin Moon was awaiting.

In the sky where no one was noticing it due to the optic camouflage applied to it, a great turmoil was occurring.

「Aah geez, what to do desu!? If Soffice is captured, then everything is futile desu! Even though I had warned her so much to be careful when she went to collect Airi──」

A small girl abandoned the control of Moon and made a ruckus.

The Automata girl which was the Gear Leader.

Re Plica with mechanical fox ears growing from her head was there.

「What? Even though she said that we will guard her when going to liberate Garden, could it be she is tearing up the contract?」

There, a woman wearing black clothes and light armor like a bandit──Dragon Marauder’s Human Dragon division commander Drakkhen Megistri, showed up and spoke.

「Shut up desu. I want you to not forget who is the one offering hideout to all of you who have no more place to go desu.」

「Certainly you’re right. Our subordinates have also decreased considerably in number from the recent fighting. It will be just one or two more times that we will be able to exchange blows with those guys properly.」

「Then, quickly go and recover your employer desu! You know the place already desu.」

「That’s impossible you know, Automata-san.」

Drakkhen shook her head with a somewhat exasperated smile.

「Previously my comrades rescued me when I was locked up in the Academy’s jail. But this time the situation is different. There are only two Ruins remaining that haven’t been liberated, so the enemy force is concentrated there. Whether it’s that Academy or the royal capital, there is always one or two Seven Dragon Paladins staying there. Even we won’t be able to just march in there.」

「You’ve got a lot of excuses before doing anything even though you are just a mercenary desu. Someone like that is called incompetent desu!」

Re Plica, who was anxious because of the absence of her master, Soffice, scowled and hurled abuses.

Then, at that timing a knocking sound *kon kon* came from outside the control room.

The door was left open, so it was only a signal to inform of the visitor’s arrival.

The one who entered from there was a man with tanned skin and a masculine face.

It was Dragon Marauder’s Heaven Dragon division commander who led the Wyvern force, the young man named Gatouhan.

He was formerly a mercenary Drag-Knight who was employed by the Turkimes Confederation. He was a survivor of indigenous people who got persecuted and chased away from their living place.

He was in the latter half of his twenties, approaching the age where his experience and stamina were taking balance.

「Is it okay for me to join the conversation too? That guy Vine is away so I’m bored.」

「Oh, isn’t this the right moment for you to come helping me? Do you have any ulterior motive?」

「I don’t need a woman with bad habit like you. More importantly, employer-dono, I want you to correct your statement there a bit.」

Gatouhan avoided Drakkhen’s talk and spoke to Re Plica.

「If you want me to correct me treating you as incompetent, then come after achieving results desu. Specifically speaking, after taking back Soffice──」

「It’s about that matter though, won’t you stop trying to save her already?」

「Ha……?」

Re Plica’s eyes opened wide at Gatouhan’s question and she went stiff.

「What are you saying desu!? Has even your brain turned stupid desu!? What are you planning to do, abandoning your employer like that desu!?」

「Calm down now. I only mean that it’s impossible to do it right away.」

Gatouhan smiled bitterly while telling that to soothe Re Plica.

「Honestly speaking, our situation was nearly checkmate by the time your master failed to secure an Arcadia. That failure itself was due to the trap of the Seven Dragon Paladins’ captain, Magialca Zen Vanfrick.」

「…………」

「Your master being captive also turns it into a trap that could even get us rounded up all at once if we go to save her. If more time passes, the other side will surely come to negotiate using her as a hostage. It will be better to move at that time.」

「What are you going to do if Soffice is killed before that huh!? Everything will be over then desu!」

「If she becomes a captive, then at the very least that won’t happen. Those guys are also not that stupid.」

「Then you guys are unnecessary so you all are fired desu. It is a really short relationship, isn’t it desu.」

Re Plica was impatient with Dragon Marauder that didn’t change their stance of wait-and-see till the end and said that. Hearing that, the leader Gatouhan silently smiled.

「Don’t be so hurried like that. I didn’t say that we won’t go to save her right?」

「That’s right. Even though we look like this, we are famous for completing the duty that was requested of us.」

「……What do you want desu?」

Re Plica was vigilant toward Drakkhen’s bright tone and scowled.

Then Gatouhan also pressed the Automata girl with a calm smile.

「It’s not like I’m telling you to increase the reward. I only want you to cooperate in order to save your master.」

「…………」

「For the advance payment, apply Baptism on us. That’s possible if it’s now after we have been administered with minute amounts of Elixir several times right?」

「……From where did you guys learn that knowledge desu?」

Re Plica strengthened her wariness hearing Gatouhan’s proposal and said.

「We are merely wishing to always pick the choice with higher possibility even if just for a little.」

Even the Earth Dragon division commander Vine had come and listened to the talk from an unknown point in time.

He was a young man with a face that still had a trace of childishness in it, but his bearing that had no openings gave him the air as a mercenary.

「The world alliance and the Seven Dragon Paladins are strong. Especially the users of Divine Drag-Rides at that Academy──the lot called Syvalles aren’t your average Drag-Knights. Even if we invest all our remaining forces including the Abyss, we won’t be able to contend with them easily.

The young man began with that while straightening his back once more and stared at Re Plica.

「You too, if you are the tool of your Xfer master then you should do that, choosing the option that raises the possibility to save her even by ten percent. Am I wrong?」

「…………」

Re Plica couldn’t reply to Vine’s question.

It was a completely sound argument.

As an Automata, she had to take back her master Soffice no matter what method she had to use.

When she was awakened, she thought that she should act by obeying that kind of manual.

But, Soffice didn’t demand her to act as a subordinate.

『Living here forever gives nothing but free time, so become my talking partner.』

Toward Re Plica who was the existence who woke her up, Soffice was looking for an equal relationship from her along with her little sister.

However, could she believe in these mercenaries who lived all this time only by rewards from other people in the end?

In any case, there were not much choices and time remaining to save Soffice.

She could be sure of that if nothing else.

「It can’t, be helped desu. However, it’s better if you all don’t think that you can do anything with Avalon without Soffice desu. Also, I won’t care even if you die because the Baptism failed desu.」

「Agreed, our master of this time. Then, I ask you to grant Baptism upon us using the functions of this Moon.」

Gatouhan calmly nodded without even showing any delight.

That calmness was even more eerie for Re Plica.

It was as though even this flow of event might be a part of their prearranged plan──she thought.

Part 5

On the other hand, six days later already after the battle of Soffice and Magialca.

While Lux and Airi were fretting with persuading Soffice, the Academy was enveloped in lively commotion.

Because the Holy Night Festival was close, the students were starting to prepare presents for the opposite sex.

On the Holy Night itself, it was the custom to prepare a small banquet, snacks, and then wine for prayer, but on the previous day a costume festival for merrymaking was permitted.

Recently, the students were especially making an effort in the preparations after school was over.

Lux was given permission to be exempt from doing chores outside the Academy, but he was frequently made to help with the work other than that.

Of course, Tillfur of the Triad checked the vast amount of chore requests for Lux until only a tenth of them was left, even so the number was still many.

「Wait right there──! Hogging Lux-chi longer than that will be in violation of the prohibition list! Please make a formal request for something like that okay?」

「No waaay, even though I thought I finally can go out with him to buy plates.」

Lux was detained by third year female students and he was told that they wanted him to choose the plates that would be used for the Holy Night Festival, but the time for that was dragging on.

At that kind of time, the Triad often gave follow-up for Lux who was weak against pressure.

「No. Please keep it within 5 minutes when monopolizing Lux-san without going through requests. Because, in addition to his Seven Dragon Paladins duty, he also has to do the arranged chore requests.」

「Wait, you all are measuring the time every time……」

As expected even Lux was shocked by the Triad’s thoroughness.

Honestly speaking, perhaps because recently he was often absent from the Academy, he got called by the female students here and there even more than before, so he was helped by the Triad’s assistance.

However, the content of his chores was also a bit different from before.

The reason Lux was popular in the past was because he was the only male student in the Academy and the curiosity towards him as a former imperial family member.

But, after he distinguished himself through his battles as a Syvalles member, this time it was his strength as a Drag-Knight that was paid attention to, and now it was his story as a Seven Dragon Paladin that was sought.

Although, because the common students didn’t know about the danger of world destruction by Sacred Eclipse, it looked like to them that Lux was making achievements as a Drag-Knight internationally too.

When it came to that, other than friendly gazes, there was also a kind of envious gaze mixed in with them.

Thinking of his past, this was something to be thankful about, but he was also feeling troubled by the giddy atmosphere of the girls.

The Triad was managing at that kind of aspect where Lux was poor at.

「Well, originally, if it’s just them calling out and talking to you, we won’t scold them just for such a minor matter.」

Sharis nodded with a troubled look.

「Eerr, then isn’t it fine?」

「We cannot do that. Or rather, recently, because many formal requests won’t get through to you, underhanded tricks like 『first calling out to you and then dragging you away』 is turning into a fad.」

「Eh……?」

He didn’t dare to believe it but, to think that this situation of chore work request would develop until such thing.

「Lux-chi cannot go against us after everything we have done for you y’know?」

「Yes. We will ask Lux-san later to personally come and show your gratitude as reward for us.」

Even his admiration only lasted for a brief time. Lux smiled wryly at the Triad who casually included their own request.

「*Cough* The present for you is also flooding in despite the limited number of reservations. We are going to deliver to you later the presents from everyone in Syvalles. Rather, the headmaster is already planning an event──oops, that is still a secret.」

「I can only have bad premonitions about that……」

Even though there was also still the matter of Soffice under this kind of situation, just what was the headmaster thinking he wondered.

『It’s exactly because it’s this kind of time that you have to treasure the ordinary days. You don’t have anything else you can do anyway.』

「…………」

The smiling face of the headmaster floated in his mind.

「……However, I cannot see Airi anywhere. She temporarily excused herself saying she has a bit of business, so I completely thought that she went to Lux-san.」

「Ah.….!」

Lux recalled a certain thing from Noct’s question.

Lux and Airi were watching over Soffice in turn.

It had already somewhat passed the time to change shift.

「Sorry. I also recalled a chore I need to do, see you all later!」

「Ah──」

Lux left those words and rushed through the Academy at full speed.

The Triad who saw that were standing still, mouths agape for a while.

「What the? It’s rare that Lux-chi is that hurried. ──Rather, it’s unnatural?」

「Yeah, could it be, I’m only supposing here okay」

「That, is it related to that pact?」

Noct continued after Sharis’s serious muttering.

「Perhaps. It could be, that pact might have become meaningless.」

「You’re saying, in other words──」

「There is a chance Lux-chi and a member of Syvalles is secretly having a tryst!?」

Tillfur’s uneasy question was answered by Sharis with a nervous look too.

The pact of the girls.

Syvalles members starting from Lisha, and also Yoruka, they established a pact that decided that they wouldn’t develop their relationships with Lux into a romantic relationship until they settled the matter of Sacred Eclipse and overcame the danger of world destruction.

Airi and the Triad were also aware of the pact and it was only Lux who didn’t know anything about it. The girls were secretly talking to each other about it and made the decision on a certain day.

Recently, some of them were seriously injured, and some of them would frequently come and go from Cross Field to other countries in this period of time. They wouldn’t be able to concentrate if they thought that the others might steal a march on them.

Krulcifer suggested that they should refrain from approaching Lux by their own initiative until the battle ended. Everyone agreed to it.

And then, strangely, it was Airi and the Triad who were assigned the role to manage the pact.

Airi became the center of it was simply because of her position as Lux’s blood-related sister.

「But, there is one exception to this rule.」

Sharis murmured as though she recalled something.

「Yes. Lux-san isn’t forbidden to contact the girls by his own initiative.」

「In other words, if Lux-chi himself already has a girl who he likes, and approaches her──」

There would be no method to obstruct that based on the rules.

In short, a romantic relationship would be settled without waiting for the conclusion with Sacred Eclipse.

The remaining members would surely receive a shock, but there was nothing that could be done about it.

「Then, we, the vigilance committee, have the duty to investigate the truth. Am I right?」

「Nooo objection! Or rather, it’s not serious right……」

「Yes. Let’s follow behind Lux-san.」

Sharis’s eyes sparkled, then Tillfur and Noct also continued after her.

A different danger was approaching from a place that Lux wasn’t aware of.

Part 6

「Sorry Airi! I was late!」

「Now look here……. It was Nii-san who talked about persuading Soffice-san you know?」

Lux who entered inside the underground room of the Drag-Ride hangar got glared at reproachfully by Airi who was waiting outside the prison.

「Soffice, did she say anything?」

「She only badmouthed Nii-san about how Nii-san forced her to pee while Nii-san was watching.」

「I’m telling you that’s a misunderstanding!」

No, in a sense that might be the truth, but as expected Lux was troubled if she said it as though he wanted it to happen.

「I’m joking. More importantly, Nii-san wasn’t followed by anyone right?」

「Yes. As expected I’m paying attention to that.」

The matter of Soffice being confined in the underground of this Academy was an extremely secret matter that even the Queen wasn’t aware of.

If this fact became known, Soffice’s personage would have to be handed over to the world alliance as a suspect and also as a hostage.

If they were in direct confrontation with Soffice’s side, than that might be the correct choice.

But, most likely, the path of hearing the truth from them and persuading them would be closed by doing that.

In any case, they had to conduct themselves carefully from here on.

「Then, I’ll take over the watch-keeping.」

「Yes. There is no problem with her physical condition. Other than that, let’s be alert against the Academy’s surroundings. I’ll have Lisha-sama and the others strengthen their alertness indirectly.」

「Right. I’ll leave it to you Airi.」

They only exchanged those words and Lux entered inside the prison.

「I’m coming in Soffice.」

Lux called out just in case and he stepped inside the large room where the prisons were lined up.

When he went to the front of the prison where Soffice was chained, her eyes were half-opened while staring blankly at empty air. She wasn’t breathing.

「What happened Soffice, hang in there!」

Soffice’s body was limp with her arms and legs dangling languidly. Lux tried to check her pulse.

Then, the girl’s eyes suddenly snapped open and she hurriedly drew back.

「Pervert……. Why are you trying to touch the body of a girl who lost consciousness? Normally one should first take off the chain.」

「Eh? Hu, huh……?」

He completely thought that she died, but seeing her reacting immediately like that caused Lux to feel bewildered.

What was going on?

「……Hah, damn it. *Slump*」

At the side while Lux was being shaken, Soffice abruptly went languid once more as though her soul had left her body.

「Err, could it be, you are pretending to die?」

「…………」

There was no reply.

But, when he tried to check her pulse again, Soffice leaped in a flash and glared at Lux with a gaze that was filled with ennui.

「You will fool around with someone when you think they are sleeping, this fiend.」

「So you are awake as expected. Haa, that surprised me.」

Lux amended so that there was no misunderstanding, but he faltered against the doubting gaze that Soffice sent him with her serious look.

Well, perhaps this was already better just from how she would talk with him now.

On the first two, three days, she wouldn’t even say anything to him because of that aforementioned case.

「……You want to look, that much?」

「Eh……?」

But, after a silence of a full ten seconds, Soffice suddenly said that to him.

「If it’s just for a bit, it’s okay you know? My, important place.」

「Wha-!? Just, what are you saying!?」

In front of the bewildered Lux who couldn’t comprehend what happened, Soffice slowly wriggled her body.

In the first place her pilot suit exposed a lot of her skin, so when she wriggled her body, her waist and her side, and then her breasts entered his gaze.

「Please. The chain hurts. It’s leaving marks.」

「I, is that so」

Certainly, that might be something painful for a girl of her age.

Lux who was thinking that moved his hand to take the key for the shackle, but then,

「Wait a second. Thinking carefully, aren’t you trying to trick me again to get out?」

「……Not true.」

「At least talk while looking at my eyes!?」

She averted her gaze still with a serious look, so it was really easy to understand.

As expected, it didn’t look like Lux was suited for this kind of work.

However, he also couldn’t spend so much time to talk with her.

There were only two days left until the time limit that he promised Magialca.

At this rate, she would be used as a hostage to negotiate with the Moon and it would turn into a battle.

「As I thought, rather than the little sister, the older brother seems like a simpleton.」

「Err, can you stop saying that when I’m right in front of you……?」

No matter how correct that was, it was depressing as expected when he was told that right to his face.

「Then, I’ll go with a threat. There is not much time left. I told the others of a time limit before I went out.」

「Time limit?」

「I also told Re Plica of what to do when I, who is the boss, doesn’t return to the Moon. If I don’t return for one week after I leave, then who knows what the Moon will do.」

「What, did you say?」

The complexion of Lux who heard that changed.

In other words, she must mean that the Ragnarok would be given orders by the Moon to attack all the countries.

「That’s why, I want you to release me right away. If you do that, I promise I won’t attack the New Kingdom.」

Right after she told Lux that, the sound of a bell that informed of the time could be heard.

For the time being, Lux left from there.

He didn’t even notice how Soffice had found an old wire in the corner of the jail that she used bit by bit on her arm’s shackle.

Part 7

「The negotiation with her, is still impossible……」

Lux exited the underground prison of the Drag-Ride hangar and muttered to himself.

He had also heard from Airi that although Soffice’s attitude had softened somewhat, she would become completely obstinate when it came to the crux of the matter.

Perhaps that was only natural.

She was trying to obtain Avalon that she went as far as turning the whole world into her enemy, so her resolve mustn’t be something half-baked.

(However, why? It feels like she herself is hesitating.)

He had no concrete basis about that, but that was what Lux’s instinct told him.

Even though she actually wanted to talk frankly, but she put on a mask of logic and suppressed her feelings.

Lux was feeling such impression from her.

However, Lux didn’t know what to do so that she would open up.

He didn’t understand what he should do to break her resolve.

If he was going to have discussion, he wanted to talk not with Dragon Marauder, but with Re Plica who was remaining in the Moon, but that was impossible to do.

He thought that at the very least Soffice might listen to Krulcifer who was also a Xfer, but Krulcifer didn’t have any memory about her childhood, so he also thought that it might not be really effective doing that.

While he was thinking of those things, he felt his back getting tapped.

「Lux-chiii, what are you doing at this kind of place?」

「Uwah!? Wait, Tillfur? Wh, why are you here?」

「Ohooh, you look flustered about something theree. Are you meeting with a girl perhaps?」

「U…… no err──I just have a chore here.」

Lux was startled in his heart hearing Tillfur hitting the bull’s eye.

He immediately made a smile to gloss over it, but he was looked at with an even more dubious gaze.

「Nnn, my bad hunch is right on the mark I think. But, we confirmed already that Lisha-sama and the others aren’t here at all. Don’t tell me, Lux-chi’s lover candidate is a third force!?」

「What are you talking about-!? Or rather, Tillfur yourself, what are you doing here!?」

Lux retorted to his female classmate who was starting to think seriously for some reason. Then the girl grinned as though recalling something.

「Riight riight, tomorrow is the event day so I’m thinking to tell you that. The Holy Night Festival’s game!」

「That’s, don’t tell me it’s what Relie-san──」

His bad premonition was right on the mark.

「Yep! Its name iis, Lux-chi Present War! Waaai, clap clap clap─」

Lux stiffened with his face half twitching. Tillfur was really in high spirits in front of him.

If he didn’t persuade Soffice during tomorrow, then the next morning Magialca would come but…….

No rather, perhaps it was Lux who did bad because he couldn’t do anything within these few days.

It seemed that the event was held because the present for Lux was too many and not all of them could be handed to him, but he wondered just what were they going to do?

「──And, what do I need to do specifically at that event?」

「Nn, it’s a secret right now. Well, just focus fully on that the whole day tomorrow okay? I don’t know whose request you are accepting but, we have the preferential right here.」

「Ah……ye, yes.」

Now that he was told that, certainly he had previous engagement with Tillfur and the others.

Besides there was also no way he could talk about the matter of Soffice, so Lux could only nod.

「Theen, do your best tomorrow! Everyone is looking forward to it sooo much after all.」

Tillfur parted from him while waving her hand smilingly. Lux let out a deep sigh.

(This isn’t the time to do that kind of thing though.)

Although it was only for half a day, but it was regrettable that so much time to persuade Soffice would get taken away. During that time he would have to ask Airi to watch over Soffice, so he was troubled.

But, currently he had no plan to solve it, so either way he felt like he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

By the way, one Seven Dragon Paladin member was dispatched to the royal capital and the Academy each for security, but Magialca departed to Marcafal Kingdom last night.

「I wish someone who can be trusted to a degree will come.」

Or rather, as long as it wasn’t Singlen, anyone would be fine.

He would feel reluctant in various senses having that man watching the present event for Lux.

Perhaps he had recovered enough composure to be able to think of such trivial things.

In any case, the situation would move in a big way after tomorrow.

He was also concerned about Lisha and the others, but Lux had finished visiting all of them.

「It will be great if nothing happens though──」

He went to the hangar one more time to look at Soffice for the last time before he returned to his own room.

And then, the day of the Holy Night Festival event finally arrived.

Part 8

A few days ago──at the center of the New Kingdom, the royal capital Lordgalia.

Inside a meeting room within the towering royal castle, a silent debate was continuing.

「Soon there won’t be any choice but to resolve ourselves and counterattack. There is no time remaining for us.」

「But, we should have expressed our opinion that we cannot go with that kind of forced plan.」

Queen Raffi of the New Kingdom Atismata responded to the representatives of various countries with a firm attitude.

Soffice sealed the Ruin liberation of all the countries by threatening to use the Moon’s weapons and Ragnarok. This was a meeting to decide the countermeasure against that. An endless argument was unfurling there.

The high officials who were representatives of various countries were clamoring inside the meeting room.

With the possibility of their own country getting exposed to danger, there was no way all the leaders could continue to stay in the New Kingdom. These officials came here as substitutes.

On the first few days, everyone was trembling in fear from Soffice’s war proclamation and they had an indecisive attitude, but after that, the wind’s direction changed completely. The voices that were wishing to counterattack were getting louder.

Looking at the convenience to install the Grand Forces that were taken out from the two Ragnarok into the Ruins, it could be calculated that there was high possibility that the Moon was located near the New Kingdom Atismata and the Ymir Theocracy where the two Ruins that hadn’t been liberated were located. So the representatives of the remaining five countries dared to say that they should be resolved for sacrifices and attack.

On the contrary, the New Kingdom that had the greatest possibility to receive harm had to avoid that no matter what. Queen Raffi and Prime Minister Nulph were desperately continuing to oppose that.

But, in reality they also understood the reason why all the other countries were urging like that.

At this rate, Dragon Marauder might take control of Avalon.

If that happened, they would be put under their rule and the countries would lose the meaning of their existence.

There was still an extension of two months so they were able to delay, but sooner or later it would be inevitable that they all had to head into battle.

Then, all the countries would want to annihilate the enemy no matter what at the timing where the possibility that their own country wouldn’t be damaged was the highest.

Thinking that, the representatives tried to carry out the brute force strategy by using just reasoning as a shield.

If Raffi and Nulph were in the opposite position, they would surely do the same thing.

Thus they were tired of the meeting that was only going in circles without finding any point of compromise no matter how much time passed.

「Your majesty Princess Listelka, do you have any excellent plan for this matter?」

Prime Minister Nulph who was troubled of where to escape addressed Listelka, the representative of the Lords who happened to be present.

Then, the pure white imperial princess who possessed inhuman beauty quietly opened her closed eyes.

Her left and right eyes had different colors of grey and scarlet.

With those eyes she looked around quietly at the representatives of the various countries, and then she formed her words.

「Let’s see. I don’t wish to say this to the New Kingdom that inherited the bloodline of my Divine Arcadia Empire but──as expected I believe we should resolve ourselves for the damage and go to take back the Moon.」

「Ooh……!」

At that moment, the high officials excluding the representatives of the Ymir Theocracy raised excited cheers.

「As expected from the imperial family of the ancient era, what a magnificent determination!」

「There is no other way than that. It’s unfortunate.」

「To not shirk back even if her lineage’s descendant country might get harmed, how heroic.」

And so on, many mouths were starting to get carried away speaking out irresponsible words.

The royalty of the Lords, Listelka herself was saying that although the Old Empire Arcadia was applicable to be her distant descendant, they weren’t directly related to her.

Even so Nulph was holding hope that she would stick up for the New Kingdom from feeling sympathy, but his expectation ended in vain.

Far from that, the Lords who were the key for conquering Avalon was acting affirmative for the counterattack plan.

This flow was already unstoppable sooner or later.

「……Can I ask everyone, to wait for a little bit more? Even if we are going to attack the Moon, it’s necessary to gather our forces for the sake of defending the country. Please──」

When Raffi requested so with a bitter expression, the high official of the Ymir Theocracy also bowed his head next.

With them conducting themselves like that, it also became hard for the other countries to demand even more than that.

If they acted unreasonably, then the next time it was their country that fell into danger, it might become their turn to get abandoned.

「Then after the preparations, we will move into offense. The day of the counterattack will be five days later. The next day after this country’s holy night festival will be fine.」

The war council was concluded with Listelka’s direction.

The meeting was temporarily disbanded and the high officials of all the countries left from the meeting room. But even after that, Raffi kept sitting down with her head hanging down.

「Your majesty. Please don’t be disheartened.」

The counterattack getting recognized was a choice that couldn’t be helped.

If that situation kept as it was, in the worst case the world alliance would crumble and the remaining five countries would side with the Lords.

If the Lords lost their patience and abandoned the New Kingdom, the other countries would surely follow them.

Above all else, right now the New Kingdom’s influence towards the other countries wasn’t that strong compared to the time of the Old Empire Arcadia.

If they were betrayed, then an even more wretched end would wait for them.

「This can’t be helped isn’t it? The New Kingdom, too, had caused trouble for them in the past after all.」

「…………」

Nulph didn’t respond to the queen’s murmur that was filled with resignation.

Half of the countries that were gathered here received invasion of various size and shapes in the era of the Old Empire, and they held quite the resentment due to that.

Even if the New Kingdom received great damage, they wouldn’t worry about it.

「Because the counterattack towards the Moon has been decided, let’s gather the Four Great Nobles. It’s a gamble to reinstate Warg Kreutzer, but at present there are also a lot of nobles who will become an ally through his mediation.」

Warg Kreutzer was one of the Four Great Nobles who had done illegality behind the scenes along with his son Balzeride and lost his standing, but he still had strong influence in his territory.

Especially with the work of his second son Sieg Kreutzer, the western territory where they were located was showing strong signs of rebellion.

In this situation where the New Kingdom was put in a disadvantage, even a single more Drag-Knight was desirable in order to protect the nobles of the royal capital.

If that was the case, then the capital inevitably had no other choice but to borrow their strength.

For the New Kingdom that had once judged Lord Warg as a person in the wrong, this was a mortifying decision but──there was no other way to break the deadlock of this situation.

「I’ll leave it to you Nulph. Because you are the one who is more knowledgeable in that area……」

「Please leave it to me……. Oi, escort her majesty to her bedroom.」

Nulph who exited the room called a servant for Raffi who was unsteady on her feet from exhaustion.

After entrusting the Queen to the servant, Nulph gathered the necessary documents and headed to visit the consuls.

He was walking inside the darkness through the corridor that was faintly illuminated by tallow lamp.

His face that was reflected on the window was different from just now. Indifferent and dark eyes could be seen.

「……That woman is more useless than I thought. Even managing this country using Count Atismata’s influence has reached the limit with this predicament. If I borrow the power of the Four Great Nobles even more than this, the balance of power will collapse.」

That expression was the face of a prime minister that was facing the reality ruthlessly.

「In any case, I have to prepare. Connections with the Four Great Nobles is indispensable in this New Kingdom. There are a lot of camps I can jump ship to.」

A voice so small that couldn’t be heard by anyone echoed inside Prime Minister Nulph’s head.

Like that, he resumed walking once more into the darkness of the corridor that couldn’t be seen where it was leading to.

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