Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 9 Capítulo 8

Capítulo 8 – Capítulo do Coral – Reunião e Promessa

Parte 1

Lux sentiu uma pontada na cabeça, seu campo de visão estava coberto por uma tempestade de areia.

“—O que é isso? Meu corpo está pesado...”

Ele se sentiu desconfortável com a possibilidade de pegar um resfriado, mas quando pressionou a mão na cabeça, a dor cedeu imediatamente.

Ontem à noite, ele acordou à meia-noite devido a um estranho terremoto.

Talvez isso o tenha afetado um pouco.

“Agora então— ......ali, eu me pergunto se a preparação está boa assim?”

A cidade fortaleza Cross Field, pela manhã de um feriado.

Lux estava enxugando o suor da cabeça dentro de seu quarto no dormitório feminino onde atualmente ele passava seu tempo sozinho.

A bagagem lotava o quarto para duas pessoas.

Ele estava empacotando comida, objetos de valor, mudas de roupa, e assim por diante durante alguns dias, mas já era muito só com isso.

Mais da metade de sua bagagem era composta por mercadorias que Relie preparou para ele usar em seu disfarce.

O conteúdo era composto principalmente de metais preciosos e itens caros relacionados a Drag-Ride.

O cenário de fundo era que ele os levaria para a Capital da República Heiburg para discussão de negócios.

Claro, seu verdadeiro objetivo era diferente.

Ele iria lá para se infiltrar, onde investigaria um certo incidente que estava sendo feito por iniciativa dos superiores da República Heiburg.

“Porém, eu me pergunto se poderei fazer isso sozinho? Algo assim—”

Lux sentou-se na cama e murmurou sério.

Ele respirou fundo lentamente, fechou os olhos e se lembrou do acontecimento há cerca de uma semana.

–

Parte 2

O labirinto subterrâneo dentro do terreno da Academia.

Naquele espaço que mais parecia um ateliê com inúmeros utensílios alinhados e estantes repletas de livros que registravam segredos importantes, Lux recebeu uma missão inesperada do Capitã dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, Magialca.

—

「Portanto, representante dos Sete Paladinos Dragão do Novo Reino Atismata, Lux Arcadia. Vou deixar você com uma missão especial da Capitã. Encontre o traidor que existe em nossa aliança mundial— e elimine-o! Já tenho um cliente em potencial onde ele pode aparecer. 」

—

A antiga raça da Ruína, os Lords, apareceu há cerca de duas semanas. A Princesa Imperial dos Lords, Listelka, sugeriu uma batalha de exibição de habilidade. Como resultado, a Ruína dentro do território do Novo Reino, Babel, caiu nas mãos de Heiburg.

A fim de realizar a investigação nas Ruínas pelo período de um mês, uma força expedicionária de Heiburg estava iniciando o procedimento para ser estacionada em uma cidade portuária dentro do território do Novo Reino.

Era a cidade portuária dentro do território governado pelo pai de Celis, Dist, um dos Quatro Grandes Nobres. O nome da cidade portuária era –Triport.

A cidade mais próxima de Babel provavelmente seria arrastada para a confusão.

Os tesouros que seriam obtidos pela conquista da Ruína seriam roubados e, durante o processo, Abysses apareceriam e causariam danos aos arredores, que seriam pagos pelo Novo Reino.

Além disso, se por acaso a maior classe de Abyss, o Ragnarok, saísse de Babel, havia até a possibilidade de que várias cidades e vilas fossem apagadas do mapa.

Por causa disso, uma força mista de Drag-Knights seria enviada do Novo Reino para o Triport, até mesmo algumas alunas da Academia que eram usuárias de Drag-Ride Divino seriam recrutadas para aquela cidade por turnos.

Havia a possibilidade de Lux também ser escolhido para isso, mas pensando que ele deveria se abster de usar o <Bahamut> dentro do território do Novo Reino, Relie disse a ele para se concentrar em uma missão diferente.

「É uma pena que não posso servir como ajudante de Lux, mas cumprirei meu próprio dever. Tenha cuidado enquanto estiver fora. 」

Celis disse isso a ele e partiu para Triport cedo.

E então, por outro lado, Lux estava se preparando para sua partida em direção à Capital da República Heiburg, Exestal, a fim de cumprir a missão que Magialca lhe deu.

Por que Magialca estava convencida de que o ‘traidor’ da aliança mundial apareceria lá?

Do ponto de vista de Lux, ele estava meio em dúvida sobre o raciocínio de Magialca, mas por enquanto ele se disfarçaria de comerciante e se infiltraria lá.

Assim, ele reuniu as mercadorias que Relie arranjou para ele e arrumou sua roupa.

Era o décimo primeiro mês— o outono estava chegando ao fim. Durante os dez dias restantes, Lux terminou de ir para a aula enquanto passava um tempo com as meninas.

Ele havia sentido mais uma vez, como era agradável seu dia a dia com as garotas.

Exatamente por causa disso— Lux foi capaz de renovar sua determinação de que ele não deixaria este mundo chegar ao fim em mais meio ano.

Em mais alguns dias, Lux partiria de Cross Field.

Antes disso, ele saiu do dormitório feminino enquanto ponderava se havia algo que ele não tinha feito.

“Eu também fiz tantas tarefas quanto possível na Academia que não pude fazer até agora. Eu acho que vai ficar tudo bem por agora, mas—”

Lux caminhou pelo pátio enquanto murmurava.

Por hoje, ele quase não aceitou tarefas para se preparar. Sua agenda estava vazia desde a tarde.

“Devo convidar Airi e passear pela cidade?”

Enquanto ele pensava nisso, de repente ele se deparou com alunas da Academia.

“Ah, Lux-san. Como vai?”

“Oh, você vai fazer as tarefas de novo hoje? Mesmo sendo feriado, deve ser duro.”

Duas garotas da mesma classe que ele o chamaram amigavelmente.

Quando Lux perguntou a elas se havia algo incomum, as duas ponderaram um pouco.

“Eerrr, vamos ver. Pensando bem... havia uma garota que estava vagando sorrateiramente pela Academia há algum tempo. Você pode chamar isso de estranho, talvez.”

“Eh, isso é—”

O Ragnarok humanoide, Eclipse Sagrado que acabara de ser derrotado, ainda não deve ter revivido.

Portanto, não deve ser um grande problema, mas ele ficou um pouco curioso sobre isso.

“Obrigado. Então, vou dar uma olhada um pouco.”

Lux se separou das duas alunos e saiu do portão da Academia e olhou ao redor.

Ele estava vigilante contra a possibilidade de alguém como Gerdaf que atacou Lux e as outras no Festival do Campus, mas parecia que era apenas sua ansiedade desnecessária.

Yoruka ficava periodicamente em guarda na Academia, mas ele também não queria sobrecarregar apenas ela, então essa era uma boa chance.

“No momento, não parece haver nada de estranho.”

“Nyaaah—”

Quando Lux estava se sentindo aliviado com a paz à sua frente, um gato de repente passou na frente dele.

O gato parecia um pouco familiar. Sua boca estava segurando uma pequena bolsa.

‘Eh?’ Lux pensou enquanto se sentia um pouco surpreso. Então, naquele momento, o som de passos veio de trás.

“Espe–!? ESPEERAAA!? ALGUÉM, PEGUE ESSE GATOOO–!”

“Eh......?”

Lux voltou o rosto surpreso para a voz.

Lá, uma garota usando um vestido rendado limpo e arrumado perseguia desesperadamente o gato.

“Não me diga isso— de novo!?”

Correto.

Foi aquele gato, o gato que impulsionou Lux ao se matricular na Academia.

Parecia que o gato ladrão tinha aprendido o hábito de roubar coisas das pessoas.

Mas, só que desta vez não havia como ele deixar escapar facilmente.

“Certo! Eu com certeza vou pegar dessa vez!”

Lux instantaneamente se determinou.

Esse adversário o venceu no primeiro jogo de pega-pega, mas era diferente daquela vez.

Se fosse seu eu atual— ele poderia ultrapassá-lo.

“Funyaaaah!”

Não havia certeza se o gato considerava Lux seu inimigo de longa data, mas o gato ladrão também miou estridentemente com espírito de luta e então acelerou.

Mas, mesmo assim, Lux não foi deixado para trás.

A fuga ágil e habilidosa do animal selvagem foi encurralada pela experiência de Lux.

(Como eu pensava. É o mesmo gato de antes— seu hábito de fuga é o mesmo.)

A observação e previsão de Lux foram polidas durante a batalha simulada de Drag-Ride.

Também puderam ser aplicadas ao movimento do gato. Lux cortou suas opções de fuga uma por uma.

Pode não ser possível se fosse naquela época em que ele veio pela primeira vez para a Academia, mas Lux atualmente estava totalmente familiarizado com a estrutura do terreno da Academia.

Para qual lugar um gato poderia escapar facilmente?

Ou então, onde seria o lugar onde seria fácil encurralar o gato depois?

O próprio Lux também estava correndo a toda velocidade enquanto ponderava essas opções, guiava o gato e o encurralava.

“Isso! Depois de chegar tão longe— o que– ......!?”

Quando Lux pensou que ele havia encurralado o gato até o canto da cerca, o gato pegou impulso na parede e saltou alto.

Lux foi pego de surpresa.

Não foi apenas Lux, até o gato tinha melhorado em habilidade.

Um segundo depois, Lux também saltou e estendeu a mão, mas não conseguiu segurá-lo.

“Esperar! Eu também......! Não, eu também estou aqui!” (NT: Aqui, esta garota usa os pronomes “boku” e “watashi” que significam “eu” ditos por menino e menina respectivamente.)

A voz da garota que também perseguia o gato enquanto usava saia veio imediatamente por trás.

Lux, que detectou a presença dela, usou o dedo para puxar o cordão da bolsa que flutuava no ar e conseguiu quebrar o equilíbrio do gato.

“Funyaaa!?”

O gato perdeu o equilíbrio no ar e caiu, mas Lux também não conseguiu pegar a bolsa.

Lux caiu de costas no chão com o rosto voltado para cima. No final, ele não foi capaz de pegar o gato, mas—

“Ei–!”

A garota vestindo um vestido de adornado que veio perseguir o gato, esplendidamente pegou a bolsa.

Lux, que usou todas as suas forças para parar o movimento do gato, e a garota que mirou na bolsa.

O trabalho em equipe dos dois se encaixou perfeitamente e tornou a estratégia um sucesso magnífico.

“Eu consegui! Eu peguei de volta, obrigado Lux-kun!”

A garota ergueu a mão com um largo sorriso.

Lux continuou deitado no chão enquanto ele ia responder com um sorriso, mas, de repente, prendeu a respiração, surpreso, e enrijeceu.

“......Eh, agora mesmo? Meu nome— ......espere, uwah!?”

Quando Lux ia levantar o corpo de surpresa, ele percebeu essa situação.

A garota sorridente que pegou a bolsa.

Lux havia caído entre as pernas da garota que estava acima dele.

Para a garota, que estava usando um vestido branco puro estar bem acima dele, significava que seu olhar seria inevitavelmente absorvido por dentro de sua saia— a cor azul-celeste que era como o tempo claro do outono foi projetada lá.

“Espere, KYAAAaAAAH!?”

A garota ficou vermelha instantaneamente até que seu pescoço gritou com toda sua força.

“Espe– espere um segundo- !? Se você muito alto—”

Lux imediatamente se levantou, pegou a mão da garota e a puxou para a cobertura próxima.

“O-O que você está fazendo!? S-Será que— você está planejando fazer coisas p-p-pervertidas comigo!?”

“Não é isso!? Este lugar ainda é uma instalação militar de certa forma, então você receberá uma bronca se for descoberta!”

“Ah......”

A garota finalmente percebeu. Ela se deixou ser arrastada por Lux e obedientemente se escondeu na sombra de um arbusto.

Depois disso, os membros da Tríade chegaram ao local que ficava ligeiramente afastado do pátio.

“......Hmm, eu pensei ter ouvido o grito de uma garota daqui, mas parece que era apenas minha imaginação.”

“Shalice também está muito tensa heein. Embora o Festival do Campus também tenha acabado, entendo se você se sentir ansiosa.”

“Yes. Talvez tenha sido apenas Lux-san encontrando acidentalmente alguém trocando de roupa novamente.”

Shalice, Tillfur e Noct estavam murmurando algo assim alternadamente.

Elas então olharam um pouco ao redor e então partiram.

“Fuu, estamos salvos...”

Se fosse Lux, ele acreditava que seria perdoado mesmo se fosse descoberto, mas não queria que as garotas da Tríade que se ofereceram para atuar como o comitê de vigilância dobrassem demais a regra para ele.

No momento em que deu um tapinha no peito em alívio, ele de repente percebeu a presença atrás dele.

Quando ele se virou, a garota cuja expressão estava rígida de suportar o constrangimento ainda estava com a mão agarrada por Lux.

“Não, não é isso que parece!? Eu olhar para a sua calcinha antes foi um mal-entendido— nada disso, foi apenas um acidente! Eu não tinha nenhuma intenção de espiar... espere, hein?”

Enquanto se desculpava, uma sensação estranha surgiu dentro do corpo de Lux que estava de mãos dadas com a garota.

Uma leve dor formigando nasceu atrás de seus olhos. Ele viu uma tempestade de areia diante de seus olhos.

O som da circulação sanguínea ecoou em seus tímpanos.

Depois que isso aconteceu em menos de alguns segundos, a forma da garota diante dele se sobrepôs a uma determinada imagem.

“Você, será que é... Coral?”

“Eh......?”

A garota ficou confusa ao ouvir a palavra que escapou da boca de Lux.

O próprio Lux achava que isso não poderia ser verdade.

O jovem ajudante de Greifer, o representante dos Sete Paladinos Dragão do Principado de Vanheim. Um jovem de personalidade gentil que era bastante amigo de Lux.

Depois que a cúpula de duas semanas atrás acabou, Coral deveria ter retornado ao Principado de Vanheim junto com Greifer e companhia.

Além disso, a pessoa na frente de Lux agora estava vestindo roupas e penteado de menina.

Cabelo verde-claro comprido e vibrante espalhado e vestido branco puro.

Essa aparência fez Lux sentir um forte déjà-vu vu por algum motivo.

Embora Coral originalmente tivesse aparência andrógina, ele nunca viu a aparência dessa garota nem mesmo uma vez.

“Kuh......!?”

Logo em seguida, uma dor aguda percorreu a cabeça de Lux e ele caiu de joelhos.

Sua mão pressionou sua testa e ele ficou imóvel. Depois disso, a dor diminuiu imediatamente.

“V-Você está bem Lux-kun...? Se você não está se sentindo bem, então devemos ir ao consultório médico—”

A garota chamou Lux inquieta, mas Lux se levantou e balançou a cabeça.

“Não. Já estou bem, não se preocupe. Mais importante, como eu pensei, você é Coral, certo?”

“Eh......!? N-Não, eu... nada disso, eu não sou essa pessoa... sabe?” (NT: Aqui ela novamente usa “boku” e “watashi” respectivamente.)

A garota desviou os olhos sem nenhuma confiança por algum motivo.

(É muito suspeito...... Mas—)

Na realidade, também não havia uma verdade definitiva de que essa garota era Coral.

Ela tinha o mesmo cabelo e cor de olhos do Coral, então ele acreditava que a possibilidade era alta, mas—

“Agora há pouco você mencionou o consultório médico, não é? Como você sabia que esse lugar tem algo parecido?”

“Kuh...... n-não. Uma instalação militar desse tamanho deve ter pelo menos isso. L-Lembra, agora há pouco você disse que este lugar é uma instalação militar.”

A garota deu um sorriso amigável estranho, mas, como esperado, ela estava sutilmente desconfiada.

“E-Então, vendo que sou uma estranha aqui, vou embora rapidamente. Obrigada por me ajudar a devolver esta bolsa.”

A garota disse isso e lentamente tentou se afastar de Lux.

Lux, que viu isso, levantou a voz com pressa.

“Espera! O portão anterior tem um soldado patrulhando. É melhor sair pelo portão dos fundos. O número de alunas passeando também é alto neste momento, talvez seja melhor se apressar—”

“É-É mesmo? Entendido, vou tomar cuidado. Tchau!”

A garota sorriu e acenou com a mão, então ela meio que correu em direção ao portão dos fundos.

Ela estava se movendo em linha reta pelo caminho mais curto em direção ao portão dos fundos que ainda estava longe daquele ponto que ficava na beira do pátio.

“............”

Mas, depois de alguns segundos, a garota parou. Ela se virou com um sorriso irônico.

“E-Errr... certo, sim. Nossa, onde é o portão dos fundos mesmo!? Esqueci de perguntar isso–!”

“Ah......”

Ela finalmente foi capturada na segunda armadilha que Lux preparou.

Em primeiro lugar, apenas as alunas da Academia sabiam sobre o portão dos fundos.

E ainda assim ela— não, ele adivinhou instantaneamente a localização.

Em outras palavras, ele sabia sobre a localização do portão dos fundos.

Muito provavelmente, foi Airi quem lhe disse isso enquanto ele estava em Cross Field.

Parece que ele percebeu isso tarde, mas a prova já havia ficado para trás.

“Diga... como eu pensei, você já percebeu sobre eu?” (NT: Aqui ela usa “boku”.)

Coral agarrou a manga de seu vestido enquanto desviava seu olhar timidamente.

Pelo seu penteado e roupa, ele não era mais um jovem andrógino, ele só parecia uma linda garota da idade de Lux.

“Bem, não era como se eu tivesse 100% de certeza. A propósito, por que você ainda está em Cross Field? Além disso, essa aparência também—”

“A-Ahahahaha...... Isto é, há um pequeno motivo— mais importante, Lux-kun. O que você acha da minha aparência agora?”

“Mesmo que você me pergunte isso— você parece uma garota normal e fofa.”

“Eh?”

Os olhos de Coral giraram como um disco ouvindo as palavras de Lux. Logo depois disso, suas bochechas ficaram vermelhas.

Vendo isso, a reação confundiu até mesmo Lux, que disse isso.

“N-Não, eu não quis dizer isso. Quero dizer que realmente combina com você, ou que seu disfarce parece muito natural.”

Lux estava preocupado porque ele chamou Coral de ‘fofo’, embora ele fosse basicamente um homem, mas parecia que Coral realmente não se importava com isso.

“P-Por enquanto sou um garoto, sabe!? —Não é isso! Coisas como a cor do meu cabelo ou dos olhos, elas se parecem apropriadamente com o meu eu normal, certo?”

“S-Sim. Mas, seu peito—”

Havia apenas um lugar que era desconcertante para Lux.

As duas protuberâncias que podiam ser vistas claramente por cima do vestido eram coisas que não podiam ser vistas no Coral anteriormente.

“Eh, isso !? I-Isso é, isso— e-eles estão preenchimento. É para disfarçar, apenas no caso.”

Coral sorriu ironicamente em pânico e explicou assim.

Lux estava um pouco curioso sobre seu peito, mas ele também hesitou em olhar fixamente para lá, então ele não perguntou mais do que isso.

“E por que você está assim? Além do mais, você está vagando pela Academia—”

“E-Eerr, sabe, vai demorar muito se eu falar sobre isso, mas isso é...”

Vendo Coral hesitando e parecendo um pouco confuso, Lux soltou um suspiro.

Certamente era um assunto difícil de ser dito abertamente neste lugar.

Lux, que adivinhou, fez uma sugestão.

“Então, que tal conversarmos fora da Academia? Eu acho que posso mostrar a você se for dentro de Cross Field.”

“C-Certo. Por favor, de qualquer maneira...”

E então, Lux saiu da Academia junto com Coral, que ainda estava corado.

—

Part 3

「And, just what happened? Can you tell now that we are here?」

Lux brought Coral who was wearing a neat and clean dress to walk leisurely on the main street.

They were at the center of the first block that was shaped like a cross.

Perhaps because today was a holiday, the central plaza was bustling. They sat on a bench and finally Coral told his story.

「Err, you see. It’s hard to say it with a loud voice but, this is a mission from Vanheim Principality. Because of that I disguised myself like this. It’s embarrassing though.」

「Is, that so. But──just what kind of mission it is?」

Lux looked at Coral’s figure when she was going to talk.

His hair wasn’t braided like usual. His long hair was smoothly spreading out.

His glossy lips were slightly opened, letting out a soprano voice.

「Vine Hachettes. One of the three bosses of Dragon Marauder, the Earth Dragon division commander who is leading the Wyrm force. He is still 16 years old, but his strength is among the best.」

「Dragon Marauder!? Don’t tell me, they are still near the Academy even now──」

The mercenary force that was hostile to the royalty and aristocrats of many countries and raised havoc in Ruins.

Furthermore they were the archenemy of the world alliance that currently was aiming for Avalon.

And according to the story that he heard later on, they also seemed to attack the Academy the other day too──.

「No. Right now they aren’t showing big movement. No, there is only suspicion that his figure was seen here. It seemed that one of the royal knights who were brought here from Vanheim Principality witnessed his appearance. That’s why──」

「Because of that Coral dressed as a girl and remained alone in this city?」

Coral nodded while staying alert to the surrounding.

This town market was bustling right now.

Coral moved his gaze around to search for the enemy’s figure among the citizens.

「But, why is it Coral who remained here? Even if for example a division commander of the Dragon Marauder is really hiding in this city──」

There was no need for Coral to do this mission solo.

Even if danger would visit, it would happen inside the territory of the new kingdom, not in Vanheim.

He could just warn the military and had them taken over this case.

「No. Don’t tell anyone else this but……, that division commander had a debt. He is, a distant relative of Vanhaim Principality’s royalt──what’s more he is from the same line as me.」

「……-!?」

The face of Lux who heard that turned slightly tense.

The young man Vine who was a former royalty wasn’t known by the public, but it was still a fact that he was a relative of Princess Milmiette who Coral served.

Thus, the country had the motive to deal with this secretly if possible.

「That’s the circumstance, so don’t mind me Lux-kun. I can at least protect myself. Well, I also think that originally this matter should be told to the new kingdom’s side, but──」

Coral smiled wryly. In respond Lux pondered for a bit.

If this was a secret mission from Vanheim Principality, then there was no way he could tell about this matter to the Academy and the new kingdom.

In other words──.

「Then, let me to help out a bit.」

「……Eh?」

Coral opened his mouth wide at Lux’s suggestion.

「It must be difficult to be alone in an unfamiliar city right? Besides if it become a battle against Dragon Marauder, Coral will also be in danger.」

「Bu, but──」

Perhaps because it was a special mission, Coral’s expression was a bit bewildered.

「You are searching around the Academy because the enemy might be around here isn’t it? I don’t want to let everyone in this city to meet danger.」

「Ye, yes. You’re right but……I」

Coral’s response was evasive.

Perhaps Lux’s suggestion was unexpected for Coral. He was bewildered by Lux’s words but──,

「It’s all right. I won’t stay with you all the time. Let’s decide a time to walk around the city. It will be standing out if a girl who isn’t even a military cadet is loitering around this area you know?」

「I, is that so!? I was standing out that much?」

Coral spoke with a surprised expression, but actually the reality was a bit different from that.

A beautiful girl at that age that gave a noble impression loitering around the Academy by herself was problematic.

Although, it was a bit hard to tell Coral who was an androgynous young man just how feminine he looked.

(I also have experience going through something like this huh……)

Thanks to the experience of the Triad making him cross dressed as girl, Lux could sympathize with Coral.

「──I got it. Then Lux-kun, can I ask you to teach me a bit about this city?」

It appeared that Lux’s good will was conveyed. Coral determined himself and agreed.

And then, the mission with Coral started from this day.

–

Part 4

「The witness report from Milmiette-sama’s royal guard said that it was around here……」

The extensive outer wall that surrounded Academy’s ground.

Lux was cautioned by Coral while they were making a round around the surrounding.

「It’s fine to not get to close to the Academy. That’s, if we are seen by the students, we won’t know what they will say about us.」

「About Coral? It will be fine, as expected if it’s a party of two like us then it won’t look unnatural. Even if the students saw us, I will cover it up properly.」

「……It’s not about me, it’s about Lux-kun. Won’t it get bad if you are walking alone with me when I’m dressed as girl like this?」

「……Eh? Why?」

「…………」

When Lux responded like that seriously, Coral unusually stared fixedly at him, then he sighed deeply.

「Now I understand a little bit about Airi-chan’s hardships. Lux-kun sometimes is really full of opening.」

Coral’s sarcasm that was quite transparent caused Lux to make a conflicted expression.

He wanted to object slightly, but he also happened to be relatively aware of what Coral meant, so he couldn’t say it.

「We don’t know what is the objective of Dragon Marauder’s division commander Vine. If it’s before the campus festival, then the possibility is high that he came for preliminary inspection in the preparation to rescue Drakkhen, But now──」

「Is he planning something like kidnapping the Academy’s student or staff?」

「No way……is something that I can really say. But, no matter how excellent of a Drag-Knight he is and that he is a division commander, attacking the Academy with you all in it isn’t a good plan.」

Including Lux, the Academy usually had elites gathered within.

Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Celis, and then Yoruka.

It was unthinkable that someone would attack alone knowing that there were six Divine Drag-Ride users as opposition.

「Besides, these few days I couldn’t confirm Vine’s appearance.」

「Is your presence here exposed?」

「I wonder? But, I want to stay here for just a bit more to investigate.」

「I see……」

Their talk paused for the moment and a bit of quiet descended.

Coral observed Lux’s state while smiling apologetically.

「That’s why, Lux-kun too doesn’t need to try too hard. This mission is like half from my own judgment.」

Certainly, it might be just as he said.

Because he was feeling discretion toward Lux……or rather, because this was related to the secret of Vanheim Principality, Lux accompanying Coral might also not be a good thing.

So far as it went, just teaching Coral about the path where he could observe the Academy’s surrounding without standing out should be enough.

「Got it. Then, if there is something, come talk to me anytime.」

「Yes. Then──, ……-!?」

Coral was about to respond to Lux’s words. It was at that moment, *growl*, a small sound could be heard from nearby.

「-……!?」

It didn’t come from Lux.

The growling sound of stomach could be heard from in front of him. Coral’s cheeks turned red once more.

「Thi, this isn’t what you think Lux-kun!? That’s, it’s not like I skipped eating in order to save the living expenses. I was only completely absorbed in work that I forgot to eat──」

It seemed because this was an unexpected mission, Coral didn’t prepare that much money for the travelling expenses.

It was an unusual miss for Coral who was a reliable person. Lux’s mouth broke into a smile unconsciously.

「Is that so? Then Coral is quite a gluttony isn’t it?」

「Lux-kun you, bully……」

When Coral acted shyly while directing a reproachful gaze at him, his cute girl appearance caused Lux’s heart to skip a beat.

「Ahaha……sorry. Good timing, I’m also feeling hungry right now, let’s go eat something.」

Lux said that and invited Coral.

「Uu……, I wish to be treated in exchange of what you said just now.」

It seemed that Coral was hungry as expected, he came with Lux even while looking embarrassed.

A bar in the alley was also doubling as a restaurant in the afternoon.

There they feasted on chicken and mushroom simmered in cream, freshly baked bread, and smoked salmon.

Lux ordered for the food to be shared half with Coral, but the restaurant owner who was still young kindly gave them extra pickles and bacon eggs.

The extra was given also because Lux had worked odd jobs there in the past.

「Hahaha, when I heard that you are going to enroll in the academy of those young ladies, I wondered just what will happen to you. But to think that you are going to bring a girl this cute here. Lux too has grown up huh.」

「No, he……she is just a friend──」

The stylishly bearded owner served the dishes while making reminiscent talk about the period when Lux was doing chores.

A few years ago, when this restaurant had just been opened, the owner was helped when Lux worked here for two weeks.

They exchanged talk and finished their meal before exiting the restaurant.

When Lux took Coral’s bag that was put on the chair and handed it to him, he noticed something.

「Tha, thanks for the meal. It was very delicious. Then, see you──」

When Coral tried to say that in a hurry, Lux suddenly smiled.

「I’m glad. Then how about we go to the next shop? If you are going to stay here for a while, you will need various other things right?」

「Eh, wai-……!?」

「That bag was lightly, it doesn’t look like there is anything for your everyday life inside it. You will catch cold if you don’t prepare properly.」

Lux brought Coral to go to a tailor and made him choose a cheap underclothes and sleepwear.

After that they shopped for miscellaneous goods like towel, handkerchief, water bottle in the market and Lux handed them to Coral.

Even so, the places they shopped at were places where Lux once did odd jobs, so they got acquaintance discount.

And then for the last, Lux brought Coral to a clean and safe inn that was relatively cheap. By that time it had already turned night.

「Sorry, somehow I ended up taking you around to various places.」

「N, no……. Thanks to you I’m saved from the trouble.」

After making small talk with Coral, Lux was going to exit the room.

「Then, take care. If there is anything, I’ll go meet you if you go to in front of the Academy so──」

Lux said that with reservation while walking out of the room.

「──Say, Lux-kun.」

Lux came to a stop hearind that voice and turned around.

Then, Coral stared at Lux with an expression that was somewhat frustrated.

「That’s, as I thought, can I ask you to accompany me in my mission from a while starting from tomorrow? I still don’t know much about the terrain and situation outside the Academy……that’s if it won’t be a bother to you.」

His voice was vaguely mixed with unease.

Lux nodded pleasantly at this young man who was his close acquaintance.

「Yes, gladly. Then tomorrow, I’ll meet you after I finished my chores after school.」

「Please. Then, take care.」

After exchanging words smilingly, the door was closed.

Lux was satisfied that he could be of help to Coral while heading back.

–

Part 5

「Why did I say something like that……?」

Inside the inn’s room at night.

Coral who was left alone inside the room muttered such thing in a small voice.

He had taken off his woman dress. Now he was looking up to the ceiling while only in his white underwear.

He shouldn’t ask for help from Lux.

This secret mission from Vanhaim Principality shouldn’t be shared with Lux who was from the new kingdom, in the first place──Coral also had another objective.

And yet why, at that time he called out at Lux to stop?

If he could borrow Lux’s help who knew well about Cross Field’s situation, he would be able to accomplish his objectives more safely, and Coral would also be able to accomplish the other mission that he received at the same time while acting together with Lux.

Certainly in that sense it wasn’t strange for Coral to do what he did. But,

「Even though I only want to do something somehow about the Dragon Marauder, and I didn’t intend to follow even that other order too, and yet……」

In the end, did he himself also didn’t trust Lux?

No, wrong.

「Does it because I want to know more about Lux-kun?」

He put his hand on his chest to ascertain his own feeling.

On his chest, there were two soft bulges that he said were padding.

It was a mysterious sensation.

Even though the current him was a male, no.

Even though everyone should have been made to recognize him as a male.

「Is there an abnormality occurring in Avalon’s mechanism too due to Sacred Eclipse’s appearance? If my secret is exposed to Lux-kun right now──」

What would happen?

Perhaps an unavoidable catastrophe would be waiting.

And yet, why did he call out to him by his own initiative?

「Is it because I don’t want to become a bad person……? Or else──」

The answer wouldn’t come out even if he talked to himself.

The night of the young man called Coral was passing in only silence.

–

Part 6

After school the next day, Lux and Coral’s strategy began.

Lux who lightly finished the chores after school linked up at the inn with Coral in the appointed time.

Following the eyewitness testimony of Vanheim’s royal guard, first they asked around at the residences around the Academy.

From the street stalls, the shops in the main street, and furthermore even the coachmen of the coming and going horse coaches.

Even here Lux’s well known personage was useful and they were able to obtain the general information.

It seemed Vine would appear after sunset, and then he would loiter around the Academy from distance doing baffling movement every day.

But, he didn’t show any other suspicious movement than that.

Two days had passed since they started gathering information, but they couldn’t even catch sight of Vine’s shadow.

「Even though he has been staying in Cross Field all this time, but there isn’t any sign of him causing anything……. That too feels even more unnatural.」

The two snacked on the food they bought at a stall while resting at the central plaza.

Lux had skewered meats with savory sauce.

Coral had a cherry pie.

The food felt excessively delicious because of their empty stomach from walking around.

「Sorry, I wasn’t really much help when we looked around.」

Lux was wiping the sauce that got stuck on his mouth while saying that. Coral shook his head hurriedly hearing that.

「That’s not true. That’s, if it’s just me alone, I wouldn’t be able to do much of anything until now, besides──thanks to Lux-kun, I’m having fun recently.」

「Having fun?」

Coral was a bit bashful at Lux’s reply.

「Yes. It might be imprudent of me to say this but, I’m having fun. After all, I practically didn’t have experience walking around the city with a boy like this.」

「How about when you were at Vanheim?」

「Unfortunately, not really. Greifer isn’t good with accompanying other, and in the first place, I had been living in a confined world until I became Milmiette-sama’s aide. In a situation where I couldn’t even really meet my elder sister and little sister, I was merely practicing Drag-Ride in order to carry out the mission of my family.」

「Family, mission……?」

「Lux-kun, do you understand what kind of person are you? From where you came from, and what is it that you should really do──」

「…………」

Lux was pondering in respond to what Coral suddenly told him.

The current him was one of the military cadets, and a member of the Seven Dragon Paladins.

He failed in trying to change this country, even so now he chose to get involved with the country’s matter as a Drag-Knight.

「I still don’t know. Both my elder sister and little sister has decided their answer and acted based on that. I know that I also have to make my decision like them. But──」

Coral looked down in his girl’s appearance

Then Lux abruptly smiled and put his hand on Coral’s shoulder.

「Feeling lost like that, isn’t it fine?」

「Eh……?」

「I was also the same. Since I was a child, despite being an imperial family member, I was troubled by the way the old empire was──I didn’t understand what I should do the whole time. I stifled my feeling then.」

Lux smiled with a vaguely pained expression and continued.

「But, I accepted it righty now. This is my destiny. I can feel relieved just by being able to stay together with Lisha-sama and everyone.」

「……Is, that so. I’m jealous.」

Coral’s cheeks loosened hearing Lux’s words that were filled with conviction.

And then, he nibbled at the cherry pie on her hand and muttered in a small voice.

「Comrade and friend who would understand myself and listen to my worry……. If I can be together with such people──would I be able to find my answer?」

Seen from the side, Coral’s face seemed to look lonely, and also envious somewhere inside.

Lux who saw that unconsciously asked him.

「Say……. I wonder, can we become friend?」

「Eh……?」

Lux’s sudden words made Coral to blink repeatedly.

From Lux’s point of view, with his cheeks that were dyed red with his girl’s appearance, he looked nothing but completely a girl to him.

「I was unable to make any male friend until now. The other day it felt like that I would be able to make one, but it was no good. That’s why, it’s, it’s fun this time, walking around the city with a boy the same age like me for the first time. It might be me being needlessly meddling but──」

「That’s not true. I also think that Lux-kun is a really amazing boy……──friend, I mean.」

Lux also stiffened in surprise at Coral’s words.

When he kept stopped moving like that for a while, the air became really awkward.

A strange silent atmosphere visited them.

Even so, both of their expression and gesture conveyed their agreement.

「The, then do you want to make……a contract, that we are friend from now on?」

「Contract……?」

The words of Coral who broke the silence caused Lux to tilt his head.

「……Yes. If we are friend, let’s try what we can? I’ll give Lux-kun my pastry, so give me a bite of yours?」

「O, okay……」

Prompted by his words, Lux presented his skewered meats to Coral, while Coral presented his cherry pie.

And then they each took a bite from each other’s food, chewed, and gulped it down. After that they shyly looked at each other.

「So, something like this, is what friend do right? It’s my first time though──」

「I, I guess. Somehow it feels, really embarrassing……」

He wondered why.

Their exchange just now might be something that often happened between fellow close friends.

But, with Coral dressed as girl, Lux felt a strange feeling.

(Wait, just what am I thinking!? Coral is a boy you know!?)

From his appearance it didn’t look like it at all, but he should be a boy.

And yet, his heart was pounding heart as it pleased.

And then, Coral was also showing him a lovely feminine expression.

At that time when the place was wrapped in a perverse atmosphere, something was reflected at the corner of Lux’s field of vision.

「──!?」

Lux’s expression turned serious. He took Coral’s hand and pushed him down on top of the bench.

That sudden action caused the young man before him to raise a shocked voice.

「Wah……!? Lu, Lux-kun!? Thi, this kind of thing is still too earl──, not that, we are both male……」

「Quiet! He is here as we thought. We aren’t seen yet. Let’s follow him from now.」

「……Don’t tell me, it’s Vine!?」

Lux nodded at Coral’s question that he spoke in a low voice.

Ahead of his gaze, there was a young man with small build wearing a black cloak.

While his face still had a trace of a child in it, his calm presence contained refinement in it somewhere. His appearance matched the information he heard from Coral.

「……Let’s follow him carefully. I’m in disguise, so I’ll get closer as much as possible. Lux-kun, can you watch out at the back and the surrounding for me?」

「Got it.」

The reason of Coral’s vigilance must be because of the happening in the campus festival previously.

At that time Gerdaf, a member of the 『ServantsSix Punishers』, Heiburg Republic’s assassination corps, led Coral into a trap and attempted to kidnap him.

The two now also considered the possibility that Vine himself was a bait that was scattered to lure Lux and Coral.

Lux left the job of shadowing Vine in front of him to Coral while being alert to the back and the surrounding.

Vine was taking a route that was circling the Academy’s surrounding, just like the information that they gathered from asking around. At the end he entered into a back alley.

「Lux-kun. That place is──」

「If I remember right, there should be a dilapidated house there but……, don’t tell me」

「Is he, preparing Abyss’s eggs again……?」

That possibility existed.

After they found out the place where he was making his preparation like this, perhaps it was better to pull back for the moment.

「Let’s get back for now and tell everyone. It will be more certain if we call reinforcement.」

「Yes. Lux-kun, you do that. But I cannot let him get away here. I’ll catch him right away while he is in sight.」

「Coral-!?」

The moment Lux was taken aback, the young man in girl appearance rushed inside the dilapidated house.

There was Vine inside still wearing his cloak while sitting on the bed inside the deserted house.

At the same time Coral quickly pulled out his Sword Device and pointed the tip before Vine’s eyes.

「Don’t move! I’ll stab you if you make even the slightest suspicious movement! Get down on the floor quietly!」

Because there was no space to summon Drag-Ride inside the small closed space, using Sword Device as sword in close quarter combat was better.

Especially at this distance, the sword could slash without giving an opening to summon Drag-Ride. The battle had been decided.

「…………」

But, even so Vine didn’t look surprised. Far from that, he didn’t even make a single twitch.

He only said a word. He directed a blackened dark gaze toward Coral and raised a mad yell.

「──GI, SHAAAAH!」

「……!?」

Coral reacted toward that bizarre action. He quickly kicked on the floor.

He mercilessly launched a thrust in straight line through the shortest route, piercing the enemy’s throat──.

But, Dragon Marauder’s division commander Vine caught the blade that had pierced its body as though nothing had happened.

At the same time he also pulled out his own Sword Device and slashed the blade toward Coral in return with all his strength.

「Kuh……!? Damn it!? These guys, they has grasped Ruin’s power until this──」

The Sword Device’s blade whooshed through air and slashed in an arc.

But, before that attack could land, Vine’s arm along with the sword danced in the air.

「Lux-kun……!?」

The Sword Device’s slash that Lux swung cut off Vine’s arm and prevented that attack.

But, even after his arm was taken away, Vine didn’t falter.

Far from that, he reached out his remaining arm and carelessly constricted Lux’s neck.

「This is……!? As I thought, this guy isn’t human.」

「Don’t touch him-!」

Right after that, Coral’s yell struck Lux’s ear.

An unfamiliar dark colored blade grew out from the right chest that was at the opposite side of the heart.

「Gu……a」

Instantly, the eyes of Vine who didn’t show any pained reaction until now rolled up and blue froth was spewed out from his mouth.

He was instantly enveloped in light as though his whole body was blazing up, then the body crumbled down and decayed into ash.

「This is──what in the world!?」

After the liberated Lux muttered that, Coral sighed in relieve beside him.

「This thing is a 『Shadow』. A humanoid Abyss that has a function to mimic human. Most likely it’s a new type that still hasn’t been discovered in many countries. I never thought I will meet one here……」

After that, Lux listened to Coral’s explanation and grasped the circumstances of this situation.

Shadow was a special type of Abyss. It was fundamentally a disposable Abyss that didn’t have its own ego.

When it was given an order by a horn flute, it wouldn’t forget that order and loyally continued to carry out the order until it died.

In exchange of possessing a mimicry ability with high precision, its strength wasn’t that different from a human.

Originally it was a pseudo bait that would turn into someone’s comrade and then lured them away.

When Vine came to this area, he left behind this Shadow as bait to let him escape. And it seemed Coral and others got caught by it.

「Is, that so.」

「For now let’s get out of here. Vine should be going to a different place already if he left this thing here. Perhaps he is even at the new kingdom’s port city, Triport already.」

Following Coral’s words, Lux exited the house together with him.

Outside where the weather was late autumn, the sun had already completely set.

–

Part 7

「Then, thank you for everything until now. You really helped me a lot, and it was fun.」

Coral was going to depart from the new kingdom right at that very day. He had taken off his girl disguise while telling Lux his parting words.

Lux faced the young man under the setting sun where darkness was starting to approach.

「Your welcome. Also, I’m thankful to you too, for becoming my friend.」

Lux also spoke calmly. Coral showed a frustrated smile at him in respond.

「About that you see. I, have something that I need to apologize to Lux-kun……. My actual mission that made me remained here was──」

「It’s not just about the Earth Dragon division commander Vine, but it was also about observing the new kingdom, including me, isn’t it?」

「─」

When Lux predicted what he was going to say and said that, Coral opened his eyes wide in surprise and he held his breath.

That proofed that Lux’s prediction was correct.

「Since when, did you notice?」

Lux smiled wryly at Coral who asked him with a meek face.

「I thought that it was a bit strange since the beginning, but midway I think that perhaps it’s like that. Even though Vine was only looking at the Academy’s surrounding from afar, when Coral met me at first, you were peeking until inside the Academy right? Even though you should be able to enter normally in your male appearance if you have business here as the aide of a Seven Dragon Paladins.」

In other words, that must be an order from Vanheim Principality.

It didn’t seem like it was a command from Princess Milmiette, but most likely Coral received that kind of order.

He was to investigate Vine while he should also be vigilant against the new kingdom too while he was at it. It was that kind of situation.

In fact, the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca came to contact Lux and gave him a special mission.

Due to the Lords, a competitive relationships between the country was created in regard to Ruin investigation. Now each country was being alert against each other that perhaps other would steal a march on them.

「……Sorry that I stayed quiet about it. But, when I said that I want to become your friend──」

「I know. Even I, just because I’m a friend, there is still things that I cannot say to Lisha-sama and everyone else. So don’t worry about it. Even you Coral also saved me just now right?」

「Lux, kun……」

Coral hung his head down in response to Lux’s words.

And then, he shook his body several times as though he was hesitating, then he suddenly made a smile.

「Even though I thought I had paid the debt of that time, now I get indebted to you again.」

Coral smiled wryly and quietly approached Lux.

And then, he whispered with a serious voice into Lux’s ear.

「──Since some time ago, there is an existence called 『King of Vie』 lurking in Heiburg. That person seized the military without showing up at the open until now. It was also that person who instigated the remnants of the old empire and colluded with Hayes. If that person isn’t defeated quickly, the new kingdom will be placed in disadvantage. No, perhaps in even less than one month from now, the new kingdom will be destroyed by him.」

「──!?」

「This is an information that I cannot say to anyone that I obtained from a certain source. I also want you to convey this information to your comrades. There is no time. There is also the matter of Sacred Eclipse, but if you are going to run after them, then this is all the more important.」

The King of Vice who was committing evil in Heiburg Republic.

An existence that was hiding until now while secretly maneuvering to destroy the new kingdom. Hearing about it, the face one of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Rosa Granhide came into Lux’s mind.

If that girl intended to crush the new kingdom in this chance, then Lux had to be the most cautios against her.

「……I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your warning.」

「No need to thank me. More importantly, be careful, if you don’t stay alive, I──……」

Coral who was about to say that came to his senses suddenly and shook his head slightly, then he corrected himself.

「……It’s nothing. Really thank you for this time. See you again.」

He said only that and waved his hand while leaving.

Lux chased after his figure until he was gone from his view, then Lux let out a sigh.

「Did he also notice about my circumstance…….. Or else, was it just a coincidence?」

Incidentally, tomorrow Lux would depart to Heiburg Republic. It would be a journey for his extremely secret mission that Magialca assigned to him to identify the traitor’s existence.

He had finished all his preparation for that. Did Coral suspected him of that?

「A danger to the new kingdom, is it……」

The Sacred Eclipse that was said that it would destroy the world.

Before that, there was an enemy that he had to fight.

Due to the reward that could be obtained from Avalon and the implication that a traitor existed, a form of competition was created among the countries that heightened the tension.

Was it just like Singlen said, that the Lords were aiming for this?

「I don’t understand……」

The answer wouldn’t come even if he thought about it.

For today, he could only feel relieved that he managed to make a friend from other country who was worthy of trust and went to sleep early in preparation of tomorrow.