Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 10 Capítulo 1

Capítulo 1 – Lua de Mel com uma Amiga de Infância

Parte 1

A carruagem de cavalos tremia com um som estridente.

O som rítmico tocado pelos cascos do cavalo e o som das rodas rolando no pavimento de pedra.

Uma voz veio de repente da frente quando as pessoas dentro da carruagem estavam confiando seus corpos àquela música pacífica.

“Mestre! Mestre Rudy! Nós vamos chegar em breve. Como você está se sentindo?”

“N-Nn...... mestre quem—!? ......Ah, sim! Foi agradável.”

Por estar com sono, Lux ficou intrigado por um momento sobre o que a pessoa estava falando, mas rapidamente voltou aos seus sentidos surpreso e respondeu de acordo.

Quando ele endireitou as costas e olhou para fora do dossel, o cenário de uma paisagem urbana alta feita de pedra que o fez sentir a importância da história da cidade apareceu.

A capital da República Heiburg, a cidade castelo de Hidehelm.

Lux chegou a esta cidade após uma viagem de três dias do Novo Reino.

“Você está bem com a pousada aqui, Mestre Rudy?”

“Sim. Já fiz reservas. Mesmo assim, a cidade é próspera, não é?”

Rudy Eintoss.

Um jovem senhor que era herdeiro de uma próspera casa mercantil e acabara de se casar com a noiva há algumas semanas.

Esse era o nome falso e a cenário que foram criados para ajudar Lux a se infiltrar em Heiburg desta vez.

A Capitã dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, Magialca zen Vanfrick deu-lhe a missão especial de procurar o traidor da aliança mundial. Lux veio aqui para investigar uma determinada transação.

Porque a diretora Relie e Magialca eram amigas uma da outra, este cenário falso também foi preparado com orientação daqueles duas, mas—

“Mas é melhor ter cuidado sabe, jovem mestre. À primeira vista, esta é uma cidade simples e vigorosa, mas nos bastidores ela está repleta de pessoas suspeitas. Bem, no entanto, depende do lugar.”

O cocheiro que disse isso ao mesmo tempo em que fumava com seu cachimbo honestamente, também emitia uma atmosfera que era bastante suspeita.

O homem que usava um fraque desgastado falou com Lux com um sorriso insinuante.

“Se você quiser beber uma bebida gostosa, tem um bar naquela rua lá. Se você quer mulher, há um bordel com seleção de qualidade na vizinhança—”

“Espera, está tudo bem em não me dizer isso, sabe–!?”

Lux ficou nervoso imediatamente quando ouviu a palavra bordel.

“Opa, isso foi rude da minha parte, eu esqueci a senhorita ali. Se você tem uma esposa tão bonita, não há necessidade de comprar uma mulher, heein.”

‘Ha-ha-ha’ O cocheiro riu e parou a carruagem.

Durante esse tempo, Lux estava sacudindo os ombros da garota que dormia ao lado dele para acordá-la.

“Chegamos Phi-chan. Acorde agora.”

“Munya, munya. Lu-chan, comer todos os meus doces... não é bom.”

As protuberâncias voluptuosas de seus seios que tremiam junto com seus ombros fizeram com que o olhar de Lux fosse atraído inconscientemente.

Amiga de infância de Lux, a figura de Philuffy Aingram estava lá para acompanhá-lo em sua infiltração e investigação.

Seu cabelo levemente rosa estava amarrado com uma única fita. Ela estava usando um vestido com decote.

De acordo com a história de Relie, no cenário eles se tornaram ‘um marido e uma esposa recém-casados de uma próspera casa mercantil’ mas—

(Esse cenário é realmente necessário...?)

Lux fez uma expressão complicada enquanto murmurava isso dentro de seu coração.

Em primeiro lugar, Lux foi contra a Philuffy acompanhá-lo em uma missão tão perigosa, mas—

「Está bem. Porque, eu protegerei Lu-chan. 」

「Ah, que maravilhoso Phi! Esse é o espírito! Deixe as coisas problemáticas para mim mais tarde! 」

Com base em uma conversa tão simples, o acompanhamento de Philuffy foi decidido.

Philuffy estudava artes marciais, além disso, ela também tinha o poder de um Abyss, então ela era ideal para o dever de proteção, mas— Lux ainda estava inquieto.

Mas, na realidade, também era um fato que não havia ninguém mais adequado para isso.

Lisha, Krulcifer e Celis eram existências famosas cujos nomes eram conhecidos até em outros países, enquanto Yoruka, embora se destacasse em furtividade, não era adequada para atuar seguindo um cenário falso enquanto se infiltrava.

No final, Lux, cujo cabelo prateado foi tingido de preto, e Philuffy, foram designados para esta missão.

“Haha, desculpe por fazer você esperar jovem mestre. Vocês dois parecem recém-casados, mas, pensar que também trouxeram mercadorias para cá, como era de se esperar do jovem mestre, que astuto.”

Depois que Lux saiu da carruagem e descarregou sua bagagem, um criado da pousada veio recebê-lo.

O interior da pousada também era refinado para parecer adequado para uma pousada de alta classe. O edifício foi construído de forma adequada.

Parece que Relie reservou uma pousada confiável até mesmo dentro da capital de Heiburg, mas—

“Como eu pensei, ficou assim...”

Havia apenas uma única cama de casal dentro do quarto para onde foram apresentados.

A arrumação do quarto era totalmente para uso de marido e mulher.

(Não me diga, nós vamos... dormir juntos?)

Lux entrou no quarto com o coração batendo forte. Philuffy também o seguiu.

Até este ponto eles haviam conseguido se infiltrar com segurança até este lugar que seria sua base.

“Phi-chan, você está cansada? Parece que depois disso hoje haverá uma festa no local de encontro social próximo, imagino?”

“Estou bem, só estou com um pouco de sono. Fua...”

“Pelo menos diga isso de olhos abertos...”

Lux suspirou com a atitude de sua amigo de infância que ainda estava em seu próprio ritmo, mesmo dentro do território inimigo, enquanto ele também se sentia aliviado ao mesmo tempo.

Mesmo que estivessem se infiltrando em território inimigo para uma coleta de informações secretas, eles também estavam sobrecarregados com o disfarce de fazer uma viagem de lua de mel.

A atmosfera calorosa e confortável de Philuffy ajudou-o com seu nervosismo que o deixou rígido e estranho.

A propósito, para deixar seu disfarce absolutamente seguro, eles não usaram seus Drag-Rides durante toda a jornada do Novo Reino até Heiburg.

Após serem enviados por Drag-Knights que tinham a ocupação de carregadores, os dois passaram a montar uma carruagem para virem até aqui. Por ser uma viagem longa, Philuffy, que adormecia facilmente, ficou assim.

“Então, eu vou lá sozinho, então Phi-chan, fique aqui. Eu também vou comer naquele ponto de encontro.”

“Comer ... o que vai sair lá?”

Instantaneamente, os olhos da garota se abriram e a imagem de Lux foi refletida em suas pupilas douradas.

“......Err, será uma festa buffet com comida que usa ingredientes de vários países, e você pode comer tudo.”

“Eu também vou. Eu tenho que agir corretamente, como guarda-costas do Lu-chan.”

Dentro de sua atmosfera distraída, uma antecipação cintilante podia ser vista. Philuffy cerrou o punho.

Lux inconscientemente sorriu ironicamente e disse.

“Phi-chan. No meio da festa, isso é... seu papel será como minha esposa, é por isso—”

O rosto de Lux estava quente, embora ele apenas a estivesse lembrando do cenário do disfarce desta vez.

“Sim. Cuide de mim, Lu-chan.”

Philuffy respondeu com um leve sorriso. Vendo sua expressão, o coração de Lux palpitou fortemente.

(Tenho que ficar calmo, não é como se Phi-chan fosse realmente minha esposa ...)

Embora, como esperado, ele se sentisse consciente de qualquer coisa.

Embora fosse apenas um disfarce, eles iriam realmente agir assim, então Lux imaginou a cena de Philuffy agindo como sua esposa.

Seu relacionamento com Philuffy foi além de serem bons amigos, eles eram um pouco como uma família um com o outro, mas—

“Ei—”

“Uwah!?”

A sensação de seu rosto ser tocado de repente surpreendeu Lux.

A ponta do dedo de Philuffy estava cravada em sua bochecha, ainda com seu rosto sério.

“Lu-chan está um pouco nervoso.”

“............”

“Não adianta, se você não for um pouco mais como de costume, sabe?”

Lux enrijeceu com um sorriso mudo ao ouvir o que Philuffy apontou.

Se ele olhasse para trás, quando eles eram crianças, havia momentos em que Philuffy lhe pedia para fazer esse tipo de faz de conta.

“Obrigado Phi-chan. Então, vamos juntos.”

“Certo.”

Philuffy acenou com a cabeça ligeiramente e lentamente apresentou a mão a ele.

Lux pegou a mão dela e eles entraram na carruagem esperando do lado de fora mais uma vez.

A bagagem que carregavam estava repleta de peças valiosas e algumas mercadorias.

Participar da festa desta vez também se tornaria a etapa preparatória para a missão de infiltração.

Enquanto eles avançavam pelas ruas pavimentadas de pedra dentro da carruagem trêmula novamente, uma visão estranha entrou em seus olhos.

Além dos edifícios alinhados que pareciam espetaculares à primeira vista, havia um beco que era interposto por grossas paredes de pedra. Uma área de favela deserta se espalhava além dali.

(República Heiburg...)

Quando Lux viu essa visão, ele se lembrou do Velho Império no passado.

A missão de Lux e Philuffy desta vez— descobrir o traidor que estava à espreita na aliança mundial.

Lux calmamente pensou no motivo pelo qual foi ordenado por Magialca para realizar esta missão.

Parte 2

Dentro da biblioteca subterrânea, onde inúmeras estantes de livros estavam alinhadas.

Naquela sala escondida que existia dentro do terreno da Academia, Lux não podia acreditar no que lhe foi dito.

“O que você quer dizer com que existe um traidor na aliança mundial?”

Lux perguntou de volta com perplexidade para a garota— não, sua aparência era jovem, mas ela era uma mulher com uma personalidade de muitos anos acumulados.

A Capitã dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, Magialca zen Vanfrick.

O que a líder do maior conglomerado do mundo disse a ele foi, na verdade, uma resposta simples.

A eliminação do traidor foi uma das reivindicações que Listelka, a Princesa Imperial dos Lords, mencionou na cúpula mundial.

Sua primeira exigência foi a aniquilação da organização hostil, Dragon Marauder.

Em segundo lugar, a investigação e descoberta da sétima Ruína, Moon.

Terceiro, a eliminação do traidor que se presumia estar escondido dentro da aliança.

Todas essas demandas foram apresentadas pelos Lords como problemas para conquistar todas as Ruínas em meio ano, mas, falando honestamente, algo parecia fora do lugar.

“Bem, não podemos afirmar que não há traidor entre nós. Em primeiro lugar, se é algo como manter silêncio sobre as informações relacionadas às Ruínas que devem ser relatadas, todo país não é completamente inocente disso, não é?”

“............”

Lux também não pôde fazer nada a não ser ficar quieto diante da pergunta cheia de piadas repulsivas.

Assim como a Teocracia Ymir ficou quieta sobre a questão da autômata Ney Louches, o Novo Reino também ficou quieto sobre possuir um do Grand Force desde algum tempo atrás.

A propósito, a Mercadora Negra Hayes que atacou o Novo Reino para destruir o país.

Sua existência que possuía as mesmas características dos antigos Lords – o povo do Sacro-Império Arcadia, depois disso Listelka também foi questionada sobre ela.

「Sim, minha irmãzinha foi acordada alguns anos antes de mim do nosso sono. Não sei por que ela se apressou em fazer essas coisas, mas minha irmã mais nova redimiu seus pecados com a perda de sua vida. Talvez ela estivesse sentindo raiva e mal-estar— por ter que pegar de volta o que foi saqueado das Ruínas durante nosso sono. Em relação à nossa incapacidade de impedir o ato de minha irmã mais nova que foi resultado de um mal-entendido, pedirei desculpas como representante do nosso lado.」

Ela facilmente respondeu assim.

Se ela disse que a tragédia ocorreu porque o povo do Antigo Império impôs suas mãos e roubou as Ruínas que eram administradas pelos Lords, então seu lado também foi incapaz de pressionar mais.

Embora, em relação a Hayes, também havia sinais de que ela já havia despertado desde a época dos experimentos humanos na era do Antigo Império, mas— não havia nenhuma prova ou qualquer coisa sobre isso.

“Claro, a possibilidade de que aqueles fósseis mencionados punam o traidor apenas como um impedimento para os países daqui em diante, também não pode ser descartada. Mas pelo jeito que eles conversaram, eu senti que eles tinham uma ideia mais definida sobre a existência do traidor.”

“Isso é—?”

Quando Lux reflexivamente perguntou de volta, Magialca cruzou os braços e sorriu destemida.

“Você não entendeu? É a existência dos rebeldes chamados Dragon Marauder.”

“......!? Dragon Marauder, é isso?”

A organização mercenária belicista empregada por pessoas influentes que mantinham inimizade contra os países que monopolizavam as Ruínas.

Um grupo que estava conspirando de forma semelhante para conquistar as Ruínas, deveria ser um oponente que não tivesse relação com o traidor em meio à aliança mundial, mas—

“Não me diga que há um traidor conectado a eles entre nós?”

Quando Lux falou isso com cautela, Magialca baixou os olhos e assentiu.

“Bem, é isso. Em primeiro lugar, existem vários pontos suspeitos sobre a própria existência da Dragon Marauder.”

Magialca continuou a falar enquanto suspirava.

“Parece que esses caras estão usando Drag-Rides e armas que foram escavadas ilegalmente nas Ruínas, mas os grandes países também não são tão estúpidos. Ninguém pode roubar das Ruínas tão facilmente. Nesse caso, não é normal pensar que no início havia um país em algum lugar que desviou ilegalmente Drag-Rides para eles?”

“......Então, você está dizendo que há um traidor na República Heiburg que significa—”

Lux murmurou com um olhar nervoso. Magialca abriu os olhos com admiração.

“Como esperado do meu herói favorito. Você tem potencial.”

O dedo de Magialca tentou acariciar o peito de Lux com um movimento natural, mas como Lux recuou calmamente, seu dedo cortou o ar em vão.

“Coff. A Mercadora Negra Hayes que causou estragos no mercado há alguns anos atrás. Essa mulher, sem dúvida, esteve envolvida na fundação da Dragon Marauder.”

“Como você pode chegar a essa conclusão?”

“O registro. Mesmo assim, sou a chefe de uma empresa. Alguns anos atrás, quando eu tinha um negócio de venda de Drag-Rides por um preço alto, por algum motivo, havia um rival de negócios que eu não conseguia igualar. Isso foi realmente irritante. Vários esquemas de enriquecimento rápido que não vinham e que muitas vezes escaparam de mim—”

“Eerr, então Hayes vendeu Drag-Rides que ela trouxe das Ruínas para Heiburg, e de lá Heiburg os desviou para a Dragon Marauder, certo?”

Quando Lux interrompeu a reclamação ressentida de Magialca com sua pergunta, ela imediatamente acenou com a cabeça.

“A possibilidade existe. Usando a instalação de produção de Drag-Ride, que dizem existir dentro da Ruína Gigas, aquela mulher conspirou com o comandante do exército de Heiburg. Ela aumentou sua fama em menos de alguns anos fazendo isso e subiu ao topo para se tornar a estrategista de um país. É uma razão bem possível, não é?”

“......Diga, será que a Capitã está guardando rancor dessa época?”

Quando Lux perguntou espontaneamente depois de ouvir o tom de Magialca que estava transbordando de cinismo—

“Isso definitivamente não é verdade. Eu só pensei que não havia como um recém-chegado que pudesse fazer negócios melhor do que eu sem fazer truques mesquinhos ou fraude. Algo como me sentir aborrecida porque meu próprio plano foi destruído, é algo que nunca passou pela minha cabeça.”

“É-É mesmo...... Mas, mesmo que a divisão militar de Heiburg estivesse realmente conectada com a Dragon Marauder— agora já é tarde demais.”

Hayes havia desaparecido, e hoje em dia a proeminência da Dragon Marauder estava se destacando.

Lux achava que não haveria mais mérito em negociar com eles.

“Não... essa negociação certamente acontecerá em breve. As relações comerciais não são algo que pode ser interrompido tão facilmente até que você encontre o substituto. Com o aumento do nível de perigo das Ruínas no momento, a Dragon Marauder está perdendo muitas de suas forças. Eles não têm nenhum outro lugar para depender além de Heiburg.”

O ataque de Dilwy que aconteceu no Principado de Vanheim.

O fracasso do plano de sequestro do Papa Nias na Teocracia Ymir.

E então a operação de resgate da Comandante de Divisão Drakkhen que aconteceu no Novo Reino outro dia.

Não seria errado considerar que a Dragon Marauder havia perdido um grande número de soldados e Drag-Rides nessas batalhas.

Seus Drag-Knights decentes restantes eram menos de 200, portanto, eles iriam querer reforçar sua força de batalha, com certeza.

“Mas, os militares de Heiburg não deveriam ter nenhum motivo para responder a eles, certo?”

Mesmo se Heiburg estivesse conectado à Dragon Marauder, nesta situação, após a família imperial dos Lords ter dado um aviso, eles não deveriam ser capazes de fazer contato descuidadamente.

Quando Lux expressou sua opinião, a garota madura riu e olhou para ele.

“Então, embora repentino, aqui está uma pergunta. Caso queira realizar uma transação oculta, que tipo de método usaria?”

“Transação oculta, é...?”

Mesmo que lhe perguntassem isso, ele não se lembrava de ter discutido negócios em seu tempo de tarefas.

Mas na época que era anterior, se fosse da época em que Lux estava elaborando o plano para destruir o Antigo Império—

“Eu faria isso nos bastidores de algum tipo de grande evento, ou então...”

“Misturar dentro daquele grande evento. Algo assim, certo? E então, em breve, Heiburg realizará uma feira chamada Mercado Subterrâneo.”

“Ah......”

Lux reflexivamente falou ao ver o sorriso insinuante de Magialca.

“Agora você entende. O grupo dos Lords andarão por aí olhando para algumas Ruínas invictas enquanto colocam a aliança mundial sob vigilância. Por outro lado, como Heiburg terminou de conquistar Gigas, a vigilância sobre eles é escassa. Você não acha que o próximo Mercado Subterrâneo é apenas a chance ideal?”

“Então—”

“Certo. Se você puder apenas definir o local da transação, estarei logo atrás de você. Vá com cuidado ok, senhor herói.”

O sorriso perverso de Magialca parecia que ela tinha um motivo escondido.

Quando Lux ia virar as costas para ela e ir embora, ela se lembrou de algo e disse a ele.

“Ah, espere um segundo meu amor. Esta é uma mensagem de Relie sobre um assunto diferente, mas recentemente você tem algo que deseja? Ela vai preparar tudo o que você quiser como recompensa dessa missão, sabe?”

—De repente ela disse algo que não estava relacionado com o tópico principal.

Parte 3

“Obrigado por esperar, Rudy Eintoss-sama, Phianel-sama. Este é o local do banquete de nossa Companhia Viablue.”

Depois de um tempo, a carruagem finalmente chegou a uma mansão de estilo ocidental que era o local do encontro social.

Naturalmente, os nomes de Lux e Philuffy eram nomes falsos.

Parece que a mansão era originalmente usada como ponto de encontro, mas agora estava decorada de forma magnífica.

O tapete vermelho tinha uma suavidade onde parecia que a ponta dos pés iria afundar nele, enquanto o lustre foi projetado luxuosamente.

Pratos extravagantes se alinhavam acima da toalha da mesa, enquanto até mesmo os pratos e copos eram produtos de qualidade.

Além disso, as pessoas que circulavam lá dentro também estavam vestidas com uma atmosfera extraordinária.

Havia um velho de barba branca olhando para os participantes com um brilho intenso, então um homem gordo de meia-idade que parecia bem-humorado veio com duas lindas mulheres como companhia.

Lux achou ótimo que ele levado por Relie e Philuffy para aprender sobre empresas anteriormente.

Se ele agisse impacientemente neste tipo de lugar, ele não estaria em condições de reunir informações.

“Oh, isso é incomum. Você parece ser ainda jovem, de onde você vem?”

Enquanto Lux pensava nisso, um homem magro de terno de repente falou com ele.

Por enquanto, Lux colocou em prática uma linha que ele havia preparado de antemão.

Ele disse ao homem que era filho de uma casa mercantil no país vizinho, e que os dois compareceram a essa festa e também passavam a lua de mel ao mesmo tempo.

“Hou, como é trabalhador. Mais importante, e quanto a isso? Você está interessado em dar a essa linda esposa um enfeite de presente—”

Assim, o homem procurou uma chance de abrir uma negociação, mas Lux recusou suavemente.

Por outro lado, Philuffy continuava silenciosamente a comer os pratos na mesa. Até o fim, ela estava em seu próprio ritmo.

“Hohou. Você é uma grande comilona, que tal? Depois disso, vamos tomar um drink—”

E assim por diante, os homens tentavam incessantemente convidá-la. Olhando para isso, parecia que o charme de Philuffy foi exibido como esperado.

Philuffy com o cabelo preso em um penteado amarrado enquanto usava um vestido de cor chique dava uma impressão um pouco mais adulta do que o normal.

Seus seios grandes que espreitavam do decote e sua aparência feminina que ainda tinha vagos traços de infantilidade, faziam cócegas nas emoções dos homens.

Como ela era sua amiga de infância desde pequenos, normalmente era difícil para Lux se dar conta disso, mas Philuffy era realmente adorável.

(Mas, será ruim se Phi-chan for enganada, se eu não prestar atenção de alguma forma—)

Quando Lux estava observando as ações de Philuffy com atenção assim—

“Mesmo assim, para vir propositalmente neste momento, você vai participar daquele evento também, jovem mestre?”

Outro comerciante falou com Lux com profundo interesse.

Lux imediatamente prendeu a respiração ao ouvir o comerciante dizer aquele evento sugestivamente.

O Mercado Subterrâneo que seria realizado nos bastidores da festa empresarial de Heiburg.

Lux ouviu da Magialca e da Relie que ali seriam comercializadas mercadorias quase ilegais.

No entanto, participar do Mercado Subterrâneo em si não era tão difícil.

Porque os vendedores que vendiam o ingresso de participação iam e vinham bastante nesse tipo de festa.

No entanto, se alguém sem conexões tentasse comprar um ingresso, ele ouvia que eles seriam roubados um pouco.

“Pode ser, é aquilo—? Não é?”

“Para sua sorte, ainda tenho alguns, só consegui dois ingressos por coincidência.”

Lux sorriu ironicamente com a atitude do vendedor, mostrando como restava pouco estoque.

Mas não era como se o próprio Lux fosse proficiente em barganhar nos negócios, então ele foi direto ao ponto.

“Quanto vou precisar para obtê-lo?”

“Vamos ver, que tal isso?”

O homem imediatamente pegou tinta e caneta de pena e escreveu a soma.

Se fosse o Lux de quando ele ainda estava em seu período de tarefas, a soma faria seus olhos pularem das órbitas, mas agora ele tinha o dinheiro que recebeu de Relie.

Em primeiro lugar, desta vez, ele veio aqui para reunir informações, então não havia sentido em ser mesquinho.

Quando Lux, que pensava nisso, alcançou sua carteira, os olhos do homem brilharam.

“Bem, não se apresse em concluir isso. A propósito, o dinheiro que você trouxe aqui, você tem moedas de ouro antigas entre eles?”

“Eerr— isso mesmo, por quê?”

A maioria das coisas que Lux trouxe aqui como mercadorias eram coisas que poderiam ser facilmente trocadas por fundos.

Essas moedas antigas eram moedas de ouro antigas que Relie preparou para ele, eram coisas com alto valor de raridade.

Parece que as coisas do último período da era Raize tinham preços altos, mesmo entre esses tipos de coisas.

“Você pode me mostrar uma delas? Se forem reais, vou trocar os bilhetes por algumas moedas.”

“Entendi. Por favor, dê uma olhada.”

Lux tomou uma decisão imediata e colocou a bolsa que estava cheia com as moedas de ouro sobre a mesa.

“Então, com licença...”

O homem abriu a bolsa e tirou uma moeda de lá—

“Hum? Esta não é uma moeda do último período daquela época. Parece que esta é a moeda de ouro dos primeiros dias do período Raize.”

“Eh......?”

Lux perguntou de volta em perplexidade.

Ele achou difícil acreditar que Relie cometeria um erro ao colocar falsificações no que ela lhe deu, mas mesmo quando ele perguntou a um avaliador especialista que estava no local, parecia que o que o homem disse era verdade.

(Não era como se ele estivesse fazendo algum truque, poderia ser erro da Relie-san?)

Lux não entendia a diferença sutil nas moedas antigas, então ele só podia fazer esse julgamento.

“Parece que você reconhece o que estou dizendo. Então, eu acho que poderei me desfazer dos meus ingressos em troca de tudo que estiver dentro desta bolsa—”

“Lu-chan, espere.”

Naquele momento, quando a transação estava para ser finalizada, Philuffy saiu de dentro da multidão e se aproximou de Lux com uma mão segurando uma enorme carne com osso preso.

“Espere, Phi-chan !? O que você está fazendo?”

“Não dê a bolsa... ok? Porque Onee-chan disse isso, essas são moedas de ouro antigas. *mastiga*.”

“N-No entanto, esta data esculpida e a coloração são, sem dúvida, os primeiros dias—”

O velho avaliador estava dizendo isso, mas Philuffy aproximou o rosto dela e sentiu o cheiro.

E então, ela falou com seu rosto inexpressivo de sempre.

“É apenas aquela moeda de ouro que tem um cheiro diferente. Acho que talvez as outras moedas fossem de Onee-chan.”

“O qu–!? O-O que você está dizendo...”

O homem sorriu amargamente com o que Philuffy apontou, mas Lux não esqueceu sua agitação.

Philuffy apontou que havia apenas uma farsa, em outras palavras...

“Sinto muito avaliador-san. Posso pedir que você dê uma olhada no resto das moedas de ouro também?”

“Certo. Oh— certamente esta é genuína.”

Dizendo isso, Lux mostrou outra moeda de ouro ao avaliador. Em seguida, o avaliador informou que era a coisa real.

Agora que tinha chegado a esse ponto, foi o vendedor de ingressos que primeiro veio para abrir as negociações com ele que estava desconfiado.

Quando Lux voltou um olhar suspeito para o homem, ele começou a se desculpar com pressa.

“Entendo, parece que havia apenas uma moeda de ouro diferente que se misturou. Nesse caso—”

“Dentro de suas roupas, eu sinto o mesmo cheiro da moeda de ouro antes...... embora?”

“Ugh...... !?”

A expressão do homem mudou quando Philuffy apontou isso. Ele tentou se virar por reflexo, mas sua mão foi rapidamente presa e torcida.

Em seguida, ainda mais moedas antigas e joias de diversos tipos caíam de suas mangas.

“Isso é, poderia ser—”

Quando o avaliador os verificou, todos eram itens valiosos, mas o preço era baixo ou de qualidade inferior.

Em outras palavras, este vendedor de ingressos procurava uma chance de misturar as falsificações para diminuir o valor e comprava por um preço menor.

Provavelmente ele viu o comportamento de Lux e percebeu que ele era um comerciante amador e veio para enganá-lo. Mas o nariz de Philuffy estava fora de seu cálculo.

“Esse ingresso é real?”

Philuffy torceu levemente o braço do homem e perguntou calmamente.

“S-Sem dúvida! Se eu falsificar o ingresso para entrar no Mercado Subterrâneo, vou ser morto!”

Lux acenou com a cabeça depois de ouvir a voz urgente do homem e olhou para Philuffy.

Philuffy largou a mão do homem e silenciosamente estendeu a mão dela.

“Ah, sim. O-O bilhete é? Então, assim como eu disse, vendo por cinco moedas de ouro de Raize—”

“Eu quero dois ingressos.”

“Eh......!?”

“Faça por três moedas para duas pessoas.”

Philuffy disse ao homem perplexo com indiferença.

Embora o homem estivesse relutante, porque era esse o caso agora, no final ele foi dominado por Philuffy.

“Eu consegui os ingressos, Lu-chan.”

“Ahaha... obrigado.”

Philuffy deu um pequeno sorriso, onde Lux respondeu com um sorriso irônico.

Anteriormente, quando ele foi com Relie para uma empresa para observação, Philuffy também viu através de mercadorias falsas e ela também foi firme nas negociações depois disso.

(Talvez Philuffy seja realmente adequada para fazer negócios conforme o esperado...)

Sua intenção era difícil de ler com seu rosto ausente e inexpressivo, e com ela fazendo tudo em seu próprio ritmo, também significava que ela não seria levada pelo fluxo da outra parte.

E então, havia também a força de sua vontade que não cedia depois que ela decidia sobre algo.

Como ele deveria dizer isso, ao mesmo tempo que se sentia surpreso, também se sentia um pouco solitário.

Porque eles tinham sido amigos de infância desde o passado, mas ele achava que seria seu papel ser confiável assim.

De qualquer forma, com isso eles romperam a primeira parede.

A abertura do Mercado Subterrâneo seria daqui uma semana de acordo com o ingresso.

Até então, eles ficariam na capital Hidehelm e continuariam a reunir informações.

“Sim. Eu também trouxe um pouco de comida para o Lu-chan.”

“Ah, sim. Obrigado— espera, eu não posso comer tanto, sabe–!?”

Lux gritou por reflexo ao olhar para a quantidade de comida que Philuffy colocara no prato.

Frango grelhado com ervas, purê de batata, refogado de peixe, frutas variadas e assim por diante. Ela carregava uma grande quantidade de comida.

“Porque Onee-chan me disse, uma esposa tem que preparar a refeição de seu marido.”

“A maneira essencial de fazer isso é descuidada, embora!?”

“Como marido e mulher, temos que agir com naturalidade, Onee-chan me disse.”

“Em vez disso, isso é visível!? Em vários significados desde há algum tempo!?”

Quando Lux tentou devolver os pratos, o cozinheiro do banquete disse-lhe que, por favor, comesse com uma cara sorridente.

Parecia que ele estava realmente satisfeito com a maneira como Philuffy comia.

“Aqui Lu-chan. Abra sua boca, aahn—”

“Por que você age como sempre só nesse tipo de coisa?”

Embora, vendo como eles tinham que manter a aparência de estar em lua de mel, estranhamente, rejeitar seu ato também não era natural.

(De alguma forma, agora estou me perguntando se é realmente certo me infiltrar junto com Philuffy ...)

Em primeiro lugar, eles não fingiram ser um casal para não se destacarem?

Lux estava pensando em tal pergunta em sua cabeça enquanto passava o tempo na festa com Philuffy.

—

Part 4

「Fuu……. We managed it somehow for the time being, I think?」

At their return home from the western-style mansion that was the banquet venue.

Lux and Philuffy were slowly walking through the town.

Although it wasn’t snowing, because it was early winter the night felt cold to the skin, and the wind was penetrating into the body even through the coat.

They didn’t go straight back to the inn with the coach in order to learn Heiburg’s geography.

And Lux and Philuffy had another reason to do this, a hidden objective.

Even so──it was strange.

Even though this should be the first time Lux and Philuffy visited Heiburg, for some reason a nostalgic air could be felt from the scenery.

He felt that him walking while holding hands with Philuffy also somehow played a part in that nostalgic feeling.

「Somehow, this feels nostalgic. Walking in town like this with Lu-chan.」

「……You’re, right. The last time was at Airi’s birthday I think.」

A memory was replayed at the back of Lux’s mind at the same time when he whispered that.

It was when he was a child, when he was playing with Philuffy at the imperial capital.

Normally they didn’t really go out to the city much, but sometimes they would go out behind their parents’ backs.

When they went to buy a stuffed toy for Airi’s present, Lux wore a hat low over his eyes so he wouldn’t get found out as a prince. They went around to shops together then.

Thinking back now, it was one of his few happy childhood memories.

「Come to think of it, I still haven’t thanked you right?」

「……?」

Lux suddenly remembered and asked. Philuffy tilted her head wordlessly.

「Remember, you helped me chose a present for Airi’s birthday. At that time I said that next time I’ll also buy a present for Phi-chan.」

「Right, perhaps.」

But, in the end his childhood promise couldn’t be accomplished.

Before Philuffy’s birthday that year could come, the environment around Lux changed drastically.

He lost his mother in an accident. He was separated from Philuffy because of her family’s circumstances, and that was that.

And then since they were reunited in the Academy until now, various things happened.

He recalled that Philuffy’s birthday wasn’t far away.

In only ten more days, her birthday would come when this mission was over.

「Say, Phi-chan, is there anything you want?」

Those words suddenly spilled out from Lux’s mouth

「…………」

Philuffy’s eyes turned round for a moment, then her expression returned to her usual absentminded look and she fell silent.

When Lux peered into her face thinking if she hadn’t heard him, it seemed she was thinking. She gave him her answer.

「If it’s from Lu-chan, then anything is fine.」

「……I see. Right, got it.」

Lux thought that her answer was really like Philuffy.

She basically loved food like sweets and the like, but it was hard to understand what she wanted other than that.

This girl didn’t wish for much and always stayed by his side.

Exactly because it was right now where the world might end in half a year more, he wanted to properly convey his feelings to her through giving her a present.

His feeling of gratitude for giving him the impetus to getting back on his feet──

While he was walking with such thought in mind, Philuffy suddenly closed her distance with him quietly.

「Wai-!? What’s the matter Phi-chan!?」

She clung on him closely from the side. Her soft sensation and body warmth were transmitted across the smooth fabric of her dress.

「Because Lu-chan, you look freezing.」

「N, no. I’m fine, it’s just this much! Mo, more importantly I’m wearing a coat.」

「Lu-chan, you’re cold. Even though, I’m your wife right now.」

「……-!?」

Philuffy pouted a bit at Lux’s bashfulness.

In the end this honeymoon should be nothing more than a camouflage, but when Philuffy mentioned being a 『wife』 once more, his heart skipped a beat whether he wished it or not.

He wondered if he was actually wedded with Philuffy for real, would it be something like this.

At that time when Lux’s heart was pounding hard, a presence suddenly appeared behind.

「Oops, the two going lovey dovey over there. It’s not safe to stay this late at night you know?」

「Ri-ght ri-ght. Just because you two are on a honeymoon, aren’t you two being a bit too carried away? If you two don’t be careful on the streets at night──wait, ouch ouch ouch-! Give up, give up-! Heeellllpp-!」

Three people called out from behind.

When one of them tried to grab Lux’s shoulder, Philuffy instantly took that hand and twisted it.

「Yes. That was why I said to stop with the joke. Really, what a troubling person.」

「Ahaha……it’s been a while, everyone.」

Lux let his guard down hearing the girls’ familiar voice and smiled wryly.

The Triads who he knew well from the New Kingdom’s Academy were lined up in front of him.

Sharis, Tillfur, Noct, the three of them were arranged to contact Lux at this mission periodically to transfer information to the New Kingdom.

「It’s great that you seem to be in a good health, Lux-kun. You still haven’t crossed the line with missy Philuffy right?」

「Just what are you worrying about so suddenly!?」

Lux was immediately flustered by what the leader Sharis pointed out.

「Yes. It looks like I will be able to bring a good report for Airi too. Although Lux-san is really unreliable in woman relationship, so I believe in you.」

「Make it clear whether you are praising or speaking ill of me-!?」

Lux yelled even more after receiving Noct’s calm verbal abuse.

「Fuuu……. Because it’s kinda unacceptable. Even though the atmosphere in the New Kingdom is tense, and yet it’s only Lux-chi who is going to have a fun honeymoon. Isn’t there any role that I also can do? Like pretending to be a mistress or something?」

「Look here……. We are pretty much coming here for an extremely secret mission though.」

Lux retorted with a wry smile at the grumbling of Tillfur who was freed from Philuffy’s arm lock.

These three were like always, but thanks to them he also felt like his tension was loosened.

「Now then, we shouldn’t talk while standing like this, let’s go back to the inn and talk. After all our position today isn’t as students. I’ve picked up some alcohol and snacks too.」

「Err, you are absolutely having fun aren’t you?」

Lux muttered with a really complicated expression. Sharis showed a cheerful smile.

After that, they returned to the inn with everyone and had a light break while exchanging information with each other.

「Then──how is it going in the New Kingdom?」

Sharis straightened her back in response to the question that Lux asked with a low voice.

The flippant atmosphere until just now vanished and she showed a quiet expression.

「We are forced into considerable hardships there. Military forces from the Heiburg Republic are already occupying the west territory of the New Kingdom──the port city Triport near Babel. It seems their supply train was already arranged, and they began entering Babel from the other day.」

In the middle of the campus festival──because of the skill exhibition battle that was held under the presence of the Lords, the Heiburg Republic was granted with the rights to conquer Babel inside the New Kingdom’s territory for a month.

The port city Triport, where their troops that were formed mainly around Drag-Knights were massing, was enveloped in a grave atmosphere as though the city was suppressed and turned into a garrison.

One of the Four Great Nobles who was entrusted with the western territory, Dist Ralgris was also focusing on security with all his might, but it appeared that the citizens of Triport were spending days without sleep due to the threat of the Abyss that might arrive at any time.

「What about Lisha-sama and everyone else?」

Lux asked while eating a sandwich with cheese and meat in between.

Philuffy was also silently snacking on a deep-fried bread despite the amount that she had eaten in the party before this.

「The princess and the others are an essential battle force there. She is taking turns with Celis in the port city to take command of the New Kingdom’s military there. Though truthfully we also wanted missy Krulcifer and missy Yoruka to all be present there.」

「Weell, if those four are all present at the same time, as expected the other side will be on guard.」

「Yes. Our infiltration here is also being suspected.」

Tillfur and Noct added to Sharis’s answer.

If all the users of the Divine Drag-Rides were mostly going out, as expected the other side would be on guard wondering what the two who weren’t there were doing.

The new kingdom was receiving backup from the Vanheim Principality and the Ymir Theocracy sometimes, but as expected it seemed guarding Triport was an exhausting task.

After all, they didn’t know when the Abyss inside Babel that Heiburg’s military failed to defeat would escape and went to the nearby Triport.

It seemed that Celis’s sense of responsibility and Lisha’s show of courage didn’t let them complain, but the chances were that they wouldn’t be able to hold out if this situation continued for a month.

It seemed they had Krulcifer and Yoruka to harden the defenses of the Academy.

It was planned for them to alternate with Lisha and Celis in guarding Triport every few days.

Regarding that, there shouldn’t be any problem right now but,

「And, what about her?」

Lux nervously touched the topic about the information that he wanted to know the most.

The Seven Dragon Paladin of the Heiburg Republic, Rosa Granhide.

She was a Drag-Knight that possessed the alias of The Steel Witch, and gave an impression like an unsheathed sharp blade.

She had a severe personality with bared hostility, and it was rumored that she murdered five military cadets in mock battles in Heiburg.

Even though she possessed overwhelming strength as a Drag-Knight, because of her severe disposition, she had a shady history where her existence itself was hidden from other countries.

Lux had no time to investigate in detail about her, so he told Airi and the Triad before he left the country that he wanted them to gather information but──

「About that, we didn’t find anything even when we investigated her. In the first place we had conflict with Heiburg since the era of the Old Empire and they broke off relations with us, obtaining information about their Drag-Knight is especially hard.」

「Yes. Airi also seemed to be frustrated.」

The result was contrary to his expectations, but it couldn’t be helped.

Lux thought that and sighed, but then Sharis proudly puffed up her chest.

「──That was what we were going to say, but we have prepared a souvenir for you at least. Currently, there is no sign that Lady Rosa is going to move away from the New Kingdom. Regarding the soldiers’ commanding, it seems that it’s being done by a female general who is her aide.」

「I see.」

Even if someone flew using a Drag-Ride at full speed, it would take about a day and a half from Triport to this Hidehelm.

If he knew that Rosa wasn’t here, it would be somewhat easier to investigate.

Although the possibility was high that she was connected with this backroom deal, so he couldn’t feel completely relieved.

「Like that we finished with the report, should we stay here tonight too? Lux-chi too, you are uneasy staying with just the two of you here right?」

「No. I judge that we should go back immediately. There is no time for playing.」

「It’s unfortunate but it can’t be helped. It looks like you have found out about the date of the Underground Market, so we will show up again around that day.」

Noct rejected Tillfur’s joke while Sharis concluded the talk.

This time the role of the Triad was as a pipeline to convey information from the New Kingdom to Lux.

In case Heiburg’s military conquered Babel and reached until the floor where the Ragnarok existed, Lord Dist said that Lux’s cooperation for the defense there would be indispensable.

The Triad were cracking jokes, but they must be quite nervous too.

「Nn……. See you again, everyone.」

「Yeah, missy Philuffy too, just because this is a honeymoon don’t cut loose too much.」

The Triad left the inn with those teasing words as a parting gift.

「Fuu……」

When Lux sighed, he noticed that Philuffy beside him had vanished without him realizing it.

It seemed she was eating sweets without saying anything during the strategy meeting but──

「Lu-chan, you’re tired……. You have to, sleep soon.」

「Uwah!?」

Philuffy suddenly embraced him from behind with gentle strength.

The voluptuous body texture that he felt across her nightwear caused Lux’s head to boil up spontaneously .

「Wha-, what are you doing Phi-chan? Wait, are you drunk!?」

He wondered if she drank the alcohol that Sharis and co. brought, but it seemed she was simply sleepy.

She was hugging Lux firmly with drowsy eyes.

The faint scent of perfume that was mixed with the wafting sweet smell of a girl was making Lux’s emotions to seethe.

「I, I’m all right! Phi-chan, you go sleep first──」

He somehow refused her invitation and tried to escape but,

「……I’m Lu-chan’s wife, so I have to take care of you, that was what Onee-chan said.」

「No this is just acting I told you!? It’s fine to not go this far when there is no one around!」

The moment Lux reflexively yelled, he was pushed down onto the bed.

「-……!?」

The texture of Philuffy’s flushed body.

Lux almost raised his voice reflexively, it was then──

「Zzz……」

Philuffy’s eyes closed completely and a quiet sleeper’s breathing slipped out from her mouth.

「……Haa」

Lux patted down his chest in relieve while pulling off Philuffy’s body from him.

It wasn’t like he didn’t feel slightly reluctant to part from her, but he decided that it was just his imagination.

Before they went to the social meeting place, they had lightly wiped their bodies, so he guessed that it would be fine not to wake her up tonight.

「Even so, as expected we cannot sleep together……」

The bed was double-sized, but it was troubling that there was only one.

Rather than a matter of space, it was Lux who had no confidence that he would be able to maintain his reasoning.

「Really, just what is Relie-san thinking……」

He also felt that she wasn’t thinking anything.

No, in a sense her aim was terribly easy to understand.

After all, Relie’s wish was for Lux to be wedded with Philuffy.

「But, the me right now, has no leeway to think about such thing──」

It was a bit cold because it was early winter, but he had no choice than to sleep on the sofa.

Lux took a piece of blanket and smiled at Philuffy’s sleeping face.

「Rest well, Phi-chan.」

He turned off the lamp’s light and closed his eyes inside the darkness.

He felt an intense uneasy feeling in this situation where he was infiltrating enemy territory and regarding the dispute around the first Ruin Babel.

He was a bit anxious whether he could fall asleep, but Lux’s consciousness was sinking naturally perhaps because of the cold.

Part 5

That night, Lux was watching a dream of the past.

It was a nostalgic past that tended to be a bitter memory.

The scene from seven years ago of the suffering from the Old Empire’s tyrannical rule and the discrimination from male chauvinism.

He was banished from the imperial court and lost his mother in an accident.

And then──Lux stood up in order to change the empire, this was his action after that.

He obtained knowledge by searching and reading the books written by his predecessors in the library, at the same time he polished his skills with the Drag-Ride.

It wasn’t enough no matter how much time he had.

He focused on his study and training from morning until evening that he even forgot to sleep.

He was able to sharpen his fangs until so far in that short time──and then to even arrive until the point where the empire was dismantled, was largely thanks to Fugil’s assistance, but in one part it was also due to the strength of Lux’s will.

But──

『Hahaa, I get it. You’re scared right? Of the reality that what you once believed as right and accomplished might be a mistake.』

The sentence that the Blue Tyrant, Shinglen Shelbrit once told him caused a twinge of pain in Lux’s chest.

(……Wrong. I’m not hesitating anymore. In order to protect the people who I want to protect, I don’t feel any doubt.)

He had no problem in becoming a Seven Dragon Paladin in order to save his Airilittle sister from danger.

He should have sworn to himself that he wouldn’t be scared anymore of the failure that destroyed the Old Empire in the past.

(However, why?)

He had to find the proof of the backroom dealing of Rosa Granhide, the King of Vices, who caused the New Kingdom to be in danger, and defeat her.

Even though this act should be the right one, for some reason Lux was feeling contradicted inside himself.

He wouldn’t be able to protect everyone without defeating the enemy that put the New Kingdom in danger.

However, even so Lux’s wish was…

–

「──!?」

Lux opened his eyes above the sofa due to a disturbing sound.

He couldn’t feel light from the other side of the curtain. The air was cold. It was still late at night.

He immediately became alert and got up. His hand reached towards his Sword Device.

(Enemy? No, wrong──the aim isn’t us……)

Lux held his breath and observed the surrounding’s situation. As he thought, there was a voice.

Furthermore it was a loud voice of an angry man that could be heard from far away.

It sounded like someone was condemning another person because of a foot getting caught on something or colliding with someone.

Perhaps because it was midnight, the sound was echoing.

Sometimes the weak screams of a girl reached even until this inn’s room.

「Nn, munya……」

Philuffy hadn’t noticed the sounds. She was still sleeping, perhaps because she was tired.

Lux quietly exited the room and got down to the first floor. He called out to the inn’s owner who was still awake.

「Oh, what’s the matter young master? The door will be closed soon. How about you postpone your outing for tomorrow?」

「No, rather than that, just what was that scream──?」

Lux asked with a tense expression, but the inn’s owner, a middle aged man only lightly joined his hands together and said 「Aa」.

「Surely that must be annoying, but there is no need to worry. It should stop soon……」

「That’s not it, shouldn’t we help? Perhaps there is a girl who is being attacked you know? Shouldn’t we call the guards or──」

Lux was irritated by the man’s calm while insisting on that.

But, the reply of the inn’s owner was unexpected.

「Young master, is this your first time coming to this city?」

「Eh……?」

The man leaked out a sigh at Lux’s bewildered reaction.

「I understand your feeling but please stop. The man who was yelling angrily like that is the guard. Furthermore that man is a noble and a squad leader class. I’m familiar with his voice.」

The man spoke dispassionately while scratching his head with a troubled look.

「Here is the capital so it’s excessively awful. If anyone tries to do anything suspicious even for just a little bit, the guards will soon hear about it. If they aren’t satisfied with money or body, then it would be prison for the suspect.」

Those words of resignation rapidly cooled down Lux’s heated head.

Right after that, he immediately reached an answer.

「In other words, it’s that kind of thing? We cannot oppose Heiburg’s military officer who is drunk and picking on a girl right now──」

「This isn’t a problem about which is right and which is wrong. If we speak out carelessly, it will be us who get crushed. That’s all.」

「──I understand. Excuse me.」

Lux acted as though he was backing down sensibly and returned to his room.

He heard that in this Heiburg, the segregation of status was distinct but, so this was what it meant.

The noble military officers and their dependents whose influence were strengthened, the ordinary citizens, and then──the poor people.

Heiburg that got its territory threatened by the Old Arcadia Empire and was exposed to the dangers of a Ragnarok then concentrated on the route of expanding their military might.

The distortion of authority that it brought about stole the position of the leaders that the mass selected and put up the military in an overwhelming predominance.

Without armed might, they would lose strength in every respect whether in war, defense, and Ruin investigation.

The place Heiburg ended up on that route was the tyranny of the soldiers.

It was a system of government by influential people who resembled the Old Empire.

Lux, who once experienced both the front and back of that era, was immediately able to comprehend the situation.

(If I want to accomplish my mission safely, I shouldn’t risk danger now in this place. But──)

When he noticed, his hand had reached out towards the merchandise bag.

He took a black cloak with hood attached to hide the face.

He quickly changed into one of the clothing that he brought for disguise among the merchandise.

Furthermore he only carried the Sword Device of his Wyvern and leaped outside from the window.

He leaped on the fence from the second floor, and from there he landed safely on the street.

Different from before, there was no sign of people in the city at midnight.

Amidst the cold wind that felt like it was cutting into the body, Lux started running towards the direction of the voice.

After sprinting for around 200 ml on the stone paving, he discovered a girl who was being harassed by a guard inside a complicated back alley.

「Noo-!? Please let me go-!」

「This annoying brat. That guy is a traitor to the country. Don’t think this will be over with only you accompanying us for a night yeah.」

Inside the darkness, the outline of that scene was gradually getting clearer.

The moment the drunk man pulled the girl’s arm further, Lux hit his shoulder with his sheathed Sword Device.

「Guouh!?」

「Over here!」

Lux pulled the hand of the girl when the man pitched forward and collapsed and started running.

After getting out of the back alley and running for a while, they finally arrived until in front of the main street.

He didn’t hear any footsteps from behind. It seemed they managed to escape safely.

「Haa, haa……. Excuse me──who, are you?」

「Are you injured? Please take care. Then, excuse me.」

It was great and all that he moved to help the girl, but it would be scary later if he stood out more than this.

He tried to leave behind the gasping girl and left before she memorized his face.

「Ah……. Ple, please wait a second!」

「No, I don’t need any tha──」

「I, I’m thankful for the save. But where is this place? We had been running quite far, so I don’t understand the path back.」

「Eh……?」

Lux was spontaneously bewildered when the girl asked him that.

Although it was midnight, there was some amount of moonlight and the lamps in the city remaining.

「Bu, but you are a citizen of the capital right? I have just arrived in this city──!?」

Lux who was about to say that noticed the secret of the girl.

He didn’t notice until now because he was absorbed in escaping, but looking closer, the girl kept casting down her eyes quietly.

「Forgive me. Just as you can see, my eyes cannot see. If I have a cane than I can more or less find my own way, but I left it at that place before──」

(Kuh……!? No good!?)

Lux finally noticed the troublesome situation he was put in.

That soldier he hit was dead drunk, so there was the possibility that he fainted right away after the hit, but he couldn’t just return there brazenly while pulling the girl’s hand.

And then, although they were currently at the main street, there was no way he could leave this blind girl behind without a cane this late at night.

With how the girl got into trouble with a guard, he also couldn’t use the method of handing her to another guard.

Furthermore because Lux rushed out in a hurry, he didn’t bring the map of the capital with him.

Lux was someone with a relatively good sense of direction, but it would be difficult to search for this girl’s house in this dark night.

「Do you have any acquaintance who you can trust? Someone who you feel like you can rely on other than this city’s guard──」

There Lux tried to search for a method to at least return this girl back safely, but,

「None…… I think.」

The girl made a self-depreciating expression and hung her head down.

「I am a shamed human in this city……. That’s why, I can only go at midnight even for a stroll like this──」

「What do you mean……?」

After asking that, Lux regretted it thinking that he shouldn’t inquire excessively.

But, the words that were dragged out from the girl by that casual question induced Lux’s fate to an unexpected direction.

「Because in the past, I was a military cadet Drag-Knight. At the very least, if Rosa or Calensia were staying by my side──」

「-……!?」

The moment Lux heard those two names, agitation and a shudder ran through Lux’s back.

The gentle-looking blind girl tilted her head and waited for Lux’s response.

(This girl, is a former military cadet of Heiburg……!? What’s more, she has connection with the Seven Dragon Paladin Rosa and her aide Calensia──)

In Lux’s mission this time, he wasn’t directly involved with those two.

Because his current objective was to infiltrate into Heiburg’s Underground Market and search for the proof of their backroom deals with Dragon Marauder.

Therefore he also had a choice to not listen to this girl’s story, but Lux felt a strange fate in this encounter.

「Say, do you have any clue about your home address, like the terrain around it or the name of the street?」

「It might take some time but…… I think I can manage somehow. In the past I could see, so if I rely on my memory from that time──」

If that was the case then there was some prospect in sending the girl home.

After all if she was a former military cadet then it was possible that she was familiar with the map.

「Ah, I’m sorry! I’m being a bother am I? Even though you have only just come to this city recently, and you had also saved me just now.」

The girl suddenly returned to her senses and told Lux that in panic. Lux took the hand of the girl.

「No, please let me send you home. Also, it might take a bit of time but, can you allow me to listen to your story?」

「Ye, yes. My name is Stefa Hersmice. I’m a former military cadet, and right now I’m an apprentice nurse.」

「I’m Lu──not. Rudy Eintoss, a traveling merchant. Nice to meet you.」

He told her that and started walking through the quiet city at night.

A blind girl without a cane and a young man who had come to the capital for the first time.

As expected, their pace was slow while they also had to be careful of the guards’ eyes.

Lux talked with the girl using the excess time.

「Is that so, you came to this city for a honeymoon──. Certainly, this is a place that is prospering in various things in the business aspect.」

The reason her tone sounded a bit cynical might be because she was aware of the defense industry as a former military cadet.

「Yes. I’m together with my childhood friend Phi, ……anel you see. There will be a lot of parties on New Year’s eve too, so it will also double as socializing from here on.」

Of course that was the pretext of his fabricated social position.

「Even though from your voice you sound young, but you are hardworking aren’t you? That’s admirable.」

「No, it’s not that amazing. More importantly, just now you mentioned the name of Rosa.」

「Do you know about her? She is already the Seven Dragon Paladin of the Heiburg Republic. It will be great if she is in good health but──」

「That’s, about her……Lady Rosa, can I ask how is she being treated in Heiburg?」

「…………」

Hearing Lux’s question, the girl slightly looked down and fell quiet.

Even just from that, he could somehow guess the circumstance.

「Ah, you don’t need to force yourself to answer if you──」

「I think from the view point of another country, it must look like she is a really bad existence. She is an EX Class Drag-Knight, but she is a haughty and arrogant, dangerous person. I heard such rumor. But……I cannot believe that.」

「You cannot believe, the rumor about Lady Rosa?」

「Yes. She was born from a noted military family, and her personality was certainly aggressive. However──if I have to say, it felt like it was just her turning her cowardice into hostility. Even when an accident happened in the mock battles against her, she was really upset.」

「Your eyes, it was because of an accident in the practice ground?」

The blind girl who introduced herself as Stefa nodded.

How should he say it, this was unexpected.

Thinking of Rosa’s current figure which was so arrogant and haughty like that, he couldn’t even imagine the Rosa that this girl talked about.

When he heard even more of her story, Calensia and Stefa were normal citizens from the street, but they had promise with their Drag-Ride aptitudes and became military cadets. There they became close with Rosa.

But, Stefa’s eyes got injured and she was expulsed from the academy. Since then she didn’t really follow about what happened in the military academy.

During that time, the bad rumors about Rosa were starting to flow one after another before she knew it, and now Rosa had become an existence that was feared by the people of the capital.

At the same time, the controlling power of the military was increasing in momentum from that time, and Heiburg was rapidly becoming a country that was hard to live in.

「Regarding the reason why Lady Rosa changed completely, do you have any idea about it?」

「……I don’t know. But, right after I was expulsed, it seemed that several military cadets died from accidents in mock battles though.」

It seemed that around that time, the military’s top management died and the organization structure changed, with various other events happening.

Lux was able to imagine that it must be around the time that Hayes’s involvement with Heiburg was starting to become active.

He also heard from Stefa that Calensia tried to investigate Hayes regarding the trend at that time.

「My cousin Calensia didn’t show any signs of changing but, I haven’t met her for a long time. I believed that Calensia would stop Rosa even if she actually did anything bad, and yet──」

「…………」

Lux was listening to her words while recalling the skill exhibition battle that was held in the Campus Festival a month ago.

–

『Calen. You aim at this one who is near dead. Weeell, the punishment for you was decided already, though, by the time you got done in by such a brat twice. What’s going to happen if we lose because of your fault──. If it’s the clever you, don’t you get it already, riight? It won’t be just your parents, even your little sis will be turned into slaves you know?』

–

At that time, the relationship between the two had already become one sided.

Rosa was threatening, oppressing, and toying with Calensia.

If Stefa believed in the relationship of the two, then there was no way he could tell her about that.

If he acted carelessly, then even this girl might get harmed by Rosa’s whim.

「If I can meet with Calensia, then perhaps I will be able to understand something……」

Lux was unable to answer the girl’s earnest wish.

「Err……is your house around here? The bread shop and general shop──and the stone statue are nearby.」

「Ah, I mostly understand the area if we are here. Really, thank you very much.」

While they were talking like that, they finally arrived nearby the girl’s house.

She had no cane, so just in case Lux sent her off until in front of her house. Then when Lux was going to return to the inn──

「Err, Rudy-san, you are going to stay in this city for a while aren’t you?」

Stefa hesitantly talked towards Lux who was turning around.

「That’s the plan but, is there something?」

「I’m guessing, that perhaps, you are intending to participate in the Underground Market that will happen soon?」

「…………」

Lux was immediately on his guard when the girl guessed exactly right.

The Underground Market itself was a legal market, but there was also illicit trade that handled illegal merchandise being done under its cover.

Lux disguised his identity to infiltrate there with the objective of catching such trade in the act.

「No, I’m not──」

This girl had an unexpected connection with Rosa and he asked her about her story against his better judgement, but it wouldn’t be good to get involved further than this with this girl.

But, if it was the military that was managing the Underground Market, there was no doubt that this girl also understood the situation.

And then, if he could meet the cousin of this girl, the aide of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Calensia, at that time the puzzle pieces that he had on hand would be connected right away.

He would be able to approach the core of Heiburg that was increasing its strength by its connection with Dragon Marauder.

「Please! If you see Calensia in the Underground Market, please tell her about me! I will do anything to repay you, so please let me meet with her!」

While Lux was hesitating, Stefa spoke her heartfelt wish.

And then Lux too made his conclusion at the end of his hesitation.

Part 6

「Haa, it became something unthinkable.」

More than ten minutes later.

Lux somehow returned to the inn where he was staying.

In the end, Lux accepted Stefa’s request.

Although, since Stefa became seriously injured due to an incident, it seemed that Calensia didn’t try to meet her anymore.

Stefa wished Lux to find out the cause, and if possible make it so that the two could meet.

That was the wish of the blind girl Stefa.

At the skill exhibition, Calensia Hersmice looked like a serious military officer and she received unfortunate treatment from Rosa.

At the very least, she should be someone that was easier to approach than Rosa.

According to the report from the Triad, it appeared that Rosa wouldn’t come back within these few days, so perhaps it would be easier to negotiate with Calensia right now.

In any case, he would need to be very careful but── either way it was already impossible for him today.

「I’m back.」

The front door of the inn was closed, so Lux entered inside from the window that he used to get out.

When he looked at the bed after muttering with a small voice, he didn’t see Philuffy’s figure there.

(──!? Don’t tell me, she was silently kidnapped!?)

Cold sweat was trickling on Lux’s head.

He immediately grasped his Sword Device tightly and turned on the lamp alertly, it was at that moment──

「Ei」

• Grap* Someone suddenly hugged him tightly from behind.

He thought that his heart would leap out for a moment there, but he immediately noticed the person’s identity.

「Err, Phi……chan?」

「Where, did you go?」

「That’s, are you all right!? While I’m gone──」

「…………」

He tried to turn around, but he couldn’t move because of the firm hold.

She was silent like usual, but right now her silence was scary.

「Err, I’ll tell you the circumstance but, can you let go of me for now……」

It was problematic that he couldn’t move but, other than that there was also her large breasts that were crushed on his back which caused his face to turn red.

「No, Lu-chan is in the middle of punishment after all.」

「Wai-!? What do you mean punishm──」

「Onee-chan taught me. A wife, must not forgive her husband’s night amusements.」

「You are mistaken a lot you know!? No, perhaps it’s correct in a sense but this time that’s not what happened! In the first place it’s fine to not keep the act in a place where no one is looking!?」

「I am, angry.」

After releasing Lux for the moment, Philuffy said that with a bland expression and dreamy tone that didn’t seem angry in the slightest.

「Because Lu-chan acted recklessly by yourself again. Because, you left me behind.」

「Ah……」

Lux hung his head down before the girl’s pure eyes and words.

He hesitated to wake her up because of the sudden happening, but this time Philuffy came with Lux here by her own will.

She was accompanying him in this dangerous mission because she was determined to protect Lux.

For him to venture into danger without telling her, it was no wonder she was angry.

「Sorry, Phi-chan……. I wasn’t thinking at all.」

「Nn.」

When Lux apologized honestly, Philuffy quietly nodded.

She looked like she had no initiative, but she was actually really obstinate. But when she understood that Lux was apologizing from his heart, she wouldn’t be angry for longer than that.

(I’m also saved by this side of Phi-chan huh.)

Somehow it felt nostalgic. Lux was immersing himself in that feeling while taking off his coat and lightly wiped his body.

After confirming that the outfit he wore was all right and his body also wasn’t injured or anything, he faced Philuffy once more.

「I will tell you about the details tomorrow. Now this time it’s for real, good night, Phi-chan.」

『Yes, Lu-chan.』

She replied back to him smilingly──was how Lux thought she would respond, but Philuffy wordlessly lied down on the bed, then her hand tapped on the space beside her *pon pon*.

「Err, Phi-chan?」

「Sleep over here. If not, Lu-chan is going to sneak out as you please again.」

「Wai-!? A, as expected that is bad you know!? Lo, look, our room is separated already even in the Academy.」

Lux noticed her intention and his face blushed from getting flustered.

It wasn’t that he hated to sleep together with Philuffy by any means, but he was taking into account the physiological phenomenon of himself who was a young man of that age, but──

「It’s fine, right now we are on a honeymoon so there is no problem. That was what Onee-chan said.」

「That person, why is she still mixing personal situation even in an important mission that is related to the country-!?」

In practice, the other Divine Drag-Ride users had their own position to consider, so only this time it was Philuffy who was suitable for this mission. He understood that.

「Lu-chan. You aren’t reflecting, about just now.」

Philuffy turned her face away *puih* while keeping the blanket bared open.

He took back what he had just thought──as expected she was still angry.

From his experience, it was better to not oppose Philuffy further when she was like this.

In the end, Lux lied down beside Philuffy while asking that at the very least she wouldn’t cling to close to him.

When the lamp was turned off and he closed his eyes, Philuffy quietly grasped Lux’s hand.

The warmth and softness of that hand caused Lux’s heart to skip a beat.

「Night, Lu-chan.」

She only whispered that and closed her eyes, then she immediately began to let out a sleeper’s breathing.

(Is this her way of telling me to not go off by myself anymore?)

Such will was conveyed to him through the girl’s hand that was connected to him.

(But──this also feels a bit, relieving perhaps.)

His heart was pounding slightly hard, at the same time his feeling was getting somewhat eased.

Tomorrow, he had to tell Philuffy everything properly.

His acceptance of Stefa’s wish and the answer that he chose.

The accumulated fatigue stole the thoughts from Lux’s head.

Lux was feeling the end of the first day of the infiltration while feeling concerned of the well-being of Lisha and the others.