Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 12 Capítulo 2

Capítulo 2 – Armadilha de Dupla Camada

Parte 1

E então, na manhã seguinte.

Depois de acordar, Lux lavou o rosto e foi para a sala de jantar. Lá, a diretora Relie estava esperando.

Disseram a ele que ela queria que ele parasse de fazer as tarefas da Academia por um tempo e se concentrasse em ajudar no Festival da Noite Santa.

Aliás, parecia que a Academia se esforçou muito no festival, desde roupas para serem usadas como fantasias até coisas como transporte de materiais e construção usando Drag-Rides que os cidadãos reclamariam caso descobrissem.

No final das contas, essa Academia estava realmente bem?

Lux, que estava ansioso com o aspecto de defesa da Academia, perguntou a Relie se havia algo que ele deveria fazer, mas o que voltou com um sorriso foi a próxima frase.

‘Se se trata de garantir a rota de evacuação dos cidadãos e também de fortalecer o monitoramento na área ao redor da muralha, já estamos cooperando com o prefeito há muito tempo. Sabe, esse tipo de coisa já será tarde demais se você precisar se preocupar com isso de repente.’

Esse pode ser um argumento válido.

Como o perigo das Ruínas estava aumentando, a defesa em Cross Field também foi aumentada a partir de alguns meses atrás. Em primeiro lugar, qualquer esforço apressado estaria fadado ao fracasso contra a Moon e dois Ragnarok.

Também seria preocupante se a situação atual da guerra fosse conhecida e as pessoas entrassem em pânico, então isso era o melhor que podiam fazer agora.

A propósito, logo os membros dos Sete Paladinos Dragão seriam enviados para a Academia de cada país, um por um.

As Ruínas restantes não foram libertadas, então reforços seriam enviados a cada poucos dias para o Novo Reino e a Teocracia Ymir, que tinham grande chance de serem o alvo. No caso do Novo Reino, o local que serviu de base foi Cross Field.

“Opa, mais importante, eu tenho que verificar a condição de todas as outras—”

Depois de se separar da Relie, Lux lembrou de sua própria tarefa.

Justamente quando ele pensava que havia algo fora do lugar, agora por causa do chamado ‘pacto’ misterioso, Lisha e as outras não o chamariam até o Festival da Noite Santa, exceto quando fosse uma emergência.

(Normalmente é sempre barulhento, então isso parece solitário como esperado.)

Havia momentos em que era preocupante que ele estivesse cercado por muitas pessoas, mas Lux reconfirmou mais uma vez que já era divertido.

Como Krulcifer também era ajudante da Teocracia Ymir que estava em perigo semelhante ao do Novo Reino, ela só voltaria para a Academia na tarde de hoje.

Então, as opções disponíveis eram verificar Lisha, Philuffy ou Airi.

Por enquanto, ele estava pensando em visitar a Lisha, que provavelmente estaria no ateliê Drag-Ride. Foi nessa hora— as alunas no pátio gritaram por ele.

“Ei, Lux-kun. Você pode fazer algo sobre isso?”

“Sim. Ela é sua companheira nos Sete Paladinos Dragão, certo?”

“Err— ah……”

Lux, que parecia assim, ficou sem palavras ao ver o banco ali.

Uma pessoa com uma aparência única vestindo uma roupa que era uma mistura de comerciante e alquimista.

Essa pessoa era uma garota pequena com cabelo laranja característico que estava penteado em forma de círculo e um sorriso maduro.

A dona do grande conglomerado que administrava a maior empresa do mundo, e uma Drag-Knight que era a Capitã dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, Magialca Zen Vanfrick estava lá.

Diferente do Vice-Capitão Singlen, ela não era hostil com Lux, mas era uma garota difícil em um sentido diferente.

“Espera, o que você está fazendo aqui Capitã Magialca?”

“Oh, você é um cara mal educado, apesar de ser um ex-Príncipe, não é? Mesmo que eu tenha aparecido na Academia com grande dificuldade, que tal você me servir uma bebida?”

Ela estava vindo para ele, o que era esperado em certo sentido.

Ou melhor, olhando mais de perto, ela estava bebendo álcool durante a tarde e se embriagou.

Imaginando pela rica fragrância que transbordava do copo, ela devia estar bebendo um vinho muito caro e velho.

“Você está me perguntando o que estou fazendo? Que saudação abrupta. O tratamento dos hematomas da Rosa Granhide que você espancou acabou, então vim aqui para dar permissão para tratar sua mulher, e ainda assim foi isso o que ganhei.”

“Sim……?”

Lux inclinou a cabeça em direção à afirmação da Magialca que era bastante incompreensível.

Então, Magialca cujas bochechas ficaram vermelhas de seu estado de embriaguez, trouxe seu corpo para mais perto de Lux lentamente.

“Espe– o que você está fazendo!?”

“Nn. Você está livre de qualquer maneira, então estou pensando em testar seu corpo. Se você não gosta, tente fugir de mim.”

“Kuh……!”

Na verdade, mesmo bêbada, ela travou seu braço com precisão e ele não conseguiu se mover.

Havia também o fato de que ela era a mestre da Philuffy e uma especialista em artes marciais. Ele não era páreo para ela desarmado.

Além disso, a mão livre da Magialca acariciava intencionalmente o peito e o estômago do Lux. Sua pele estremeceu com a sensação de coceira.

“Nossa, mesmo o Lux-san não pode vencer—”

“O que deveríamos fazer!? Devemos chamar a Tríade!?”

“Ah! Que coisa! Mas, se sairmos daqui, podemos ignorar várias coisas—”

Por outro lado, as alunas que o chamavam aqui falavam de longe.

“Espera, todas de antes estão se escondendo enquanto assistem desta forma!”

Quando Lux estava desesperado com as alunas que se transformavam em espectadoras curiosas, uma garota sozinha de repente se aproximou da direção oposta com um ritmo acelerado.

“Eh? Phi-chan?”

“Lu-chan. Há quanto tempo.”

Sua amiga de infância o saudou com uma emoção feliz escoando vagamente até mesmo em seu rosto inexpressivo.

Seu cabelo rosa suave e seu peito voluptuoso que eram óbvios de se ver, mesmo por cima do uniforme.

Seu rosto que vagamente tinha traços de infantilidade remanescentes nele. Ela se levantou na frente de Lux e Magialca.

Mas, devido às batalhas quando se infiltraram na República Heiburg e perto de Babel anteriormente. Seu corpo estava muito sobrecarregado devido à batalha mortal contra o Rei dos Vícios, Calensia Hersmice, então ela deveria se recuperar por um tempo, mas—

“Não, espere, Phi-chan. Há também o seu corpo a considerar, mas está tudo bem para você vir em minha direção?”

Parecia que as meninas agora estavam decidindo não entrar em contato com Lux por causa do chamado pacto, com exceção quando era uma batalha ou situação especial, mas—

“Está bem. Te salvar é o meu trabalho, Lu-chan.”

“Ah, entendo…”

Philuffy estava dizendo que ela estava se oferecendo para proteger Lux.

Em outras palavras, esta situação parecia ser uma exceção especial para salvar Lux da Magialca.

“O que é isso, meu Deus, embora eu esteja pensando que posso desfrutar de um bom homem depois de tanto tempo. Não tem jeito, vou ceder dessa vez à minha discípula e ir beber lá fora.”

Magialca disse isso, levantou-se do banco e largou Lux.

Mas, quando ela ia se separar dele, ela rapidamente sussurrou em seu ouvido.

“Deixe sua agenda aberta durante a noite, parece que haverá uma chance de chamar você.”

“……!?”

Essas palavras certamente foram ditas não como um indivíduo, mas como a Capitã dos Sete Paladinos Dragão.

Magialca mostrou a ele um sorriso que estava cheio de implicações antes de ela sair.

“Lu-chan. Você está bem?”

“Ah, sim. Estou bem.”

“Então, venha aqui. Eu quero que você ajude, com a roupa para a festa à fantasia.”

Assim, ele respondeu ao convite da Philuffy e foi ver como estavam indo os preparativos para o Festival da Noite Santa.

De alguma forma, parecia que ele foi completamente chamado pela Philuffy, mas— está tudo bem?

—

“Capitã Shalice, isso é aceitável?”

“……Bem, apenas um pouco. É um fato que ela salvou Lux-kun de uma situação difícil, que precisa ser levado em consideração. De qualquer forma, ele também não tinha ido encontrá-la de qualquer maneira.”

“Sim. Então vou contar isso como uma visita do Lux-san.”

—

“…………”

Lux estava se sentindo exasperado com a Tríade, que estava sussurrando secretamente por trás da cobertura enquanto se dirigia para a área especial do prédio da escola.

Lá, a Diretora Relie o recebeu com um sorriso e o deixou entrar na sala.

Havia um cheiro doce vindo da cozinha ao lado onde os doces pareciam ser assados.

Em meio a isso, ele conversou casualmente com Relie sobre a tendência da situação em Cross Field.

“Mesmo assim me foi confiada esta Academia. Estou continuamente me reunindo com o prefeito e funcionários da Capital, sabe? Não há dúvida de que o alto escalão do Novo Reino está muito nervoso.”

“É mesmo, como eu pensei— não espere, o que há com essa aparência!?”

“Claro, este é o ensaio para o torneio de fantasias. Eu também estou participando. Em qualquer caso, você não acha que realmente combina comigo?”

Relie colocou um chapéu de bruxa e uma fantasia preta completa no sofá.

A área do peito tinha um grande decote, dando a ela um feitiço encantador que realmente parecia uma bruxa.

Ao lado dela estava Philuffy usando uma faixa de cabelo com orelhas de coelho enquanto comia doces.

Havia uma fita em seu pescoço enquanto um pano preto estava agarrado firmemente em seu corpo como um Traje de Piloto. Suas costas e pernas estavam corajosamente expostas.

Era sugestivo, mas, ao mesmo tempo, a roupa também enfatizava a fofura, o que realmente combinava com ela.

Somada a presença de seus seios grandes, que era sua característica, Lux estava preocupado em saber onde olhar.

“Não, espere, até a diretora, o que você está pensando!? Como era de se esperar, essa aparência é um problema não—”

“Nossa? Você não está apenas interessado na irmã mais nova, mas também na irmã mais velha? Nossa, Lux-kun, você não é um bom garoto, não é? Eh eh.”

Relie cutucou as costas de Lux com um sorriso que estava ficando completamente empolgado.

Enquanto o perturbado Lux enrijecia, Philuffy, vestida de coelhinha, serviu-lhe chá de ervas pela lateral.

“Onee-chan. Parece que ela tem um pouco de estresse acumulado, então aguente.”

“Não é verdade…”

Lux sorriu ironicamente rodeado pelas irmãs do conglomerado Aingram.

Doces com creme fresco com frutas misturadas, biscoitos com ervas amassadas, a pilha de panquecas especiais da Philuffy e assim por diante. Lux estava comendo os doces experimentais que seriam distribuídos no Festival da Noite Santa, enquanto passava um tempo tranquilo com Philuffy e Relie.

Lux foi tratado como um convidado e sentou-se no sofá da sala. Então, de repente, ele viu as costas da Philuffy, que preparava um chá substituto.

“Nossa, Lux-kun. Onde você está olhando? Bem, a Phi é muito fofa, então não tem jeito.”

“Relie-san. Você já está bêbada...…? N-Não é isso, eu só estou pensando que o corpo da Philuffy é lindo— não há nenhum vestígio de ferida ou efeito colateral.”

Certamente as costas brancas e justas da Philuffy eram charmosas, mas não era com isso que Lux estava se preocupando.

Na batalha mortal na República Heiburg, Philuffy disse que o poder restante da semente de Yggdrasil em seu corpo foi liberado.

Ela reforçou seu corpo usando uma parte de Yggdrasil que possuía o poder do ‘reforço’.

Ela até usou um movimento drástico que o aplicou até mesmo ao Drag-Ride Divino <Typhon> que ela estava usando.

Lux pensou que ela seria incapaz de retornar à batalha por um tempo devido aos seus efeitos colaterais, mas—

“Isso mesmo Lux-kun— Não contamos a você, mas Philuffy foi tratada há pouco tempo.”

“Tratada……? Você disse?”

Existia um tratamento para curar a reação da transformação do Abyss neste mundo?

“Você se lembra da Ilha Ries? Yoruka Kirihime foi presa na ilha solitária próxima. A cápsula de hibernação em que ela estava dormindo e as instalações eram algo criado a partir das Ruínas. Além do mais— com essa tecnologia antiga é possível dormir sem envelhecer e até mesmo aplicar a cirurgia chamada Batismo.”

“…………”

“Como ela ficou do nosso lado, usando seu testemunho, estimei a localização e trouxe o que descobri para a Academia. Claro que desta vez eu pedi permissão do Novo Reino. E então, depois de compará-los e decifrá-los com o material que a Krulcifer-san trouxe, ativamos o sistema de tratamento médico.”

“Desde quando, tal coisa—”

Agora há pouco, Magialca mencionou sobre o tratamento da Rosa, era sobre isso?

Na verdade, não era um bom plano deixar a força de combate dos Sete Paladinos Dragão dormir com a ameaça dos dois Ragnarok restantes.

O sistema foi usado na Philuffy e na Rosa, então parecia que a próxima seria a Yoruka, mas parecia que a reutilização da cápsula de hibernação demorava, então estava no meio da espera.

Se tudo corresse bem, Yoruka também seria curada em mais algumas semanas e então ela seria capaz de lutar novamente.

“O corpo da Phi que foi transplantado com uma parte de um Abyss pode ser curado até certo ponto com isso. Mas, no final, é apenas o fardo na superfície. Mas se, um dispositivo de cura que é muito mais excelente do que aquela cápsula estiver dentro de Avalon, então—”

“Então, pode ser possível curar perfeitamente até o corpo da Philuffy!?”

Lux mordeu as palavras da Relie em voz alta.

Porque se a semente de Yggdrasil que estava criando raízes no coração pudesse ser removida, isso seria como algo saído de um sonho.

“Eu não sei, mas talvez seja impossível curar isso completamente. Afinal, uma parte do corpo da Phi já compartilha a mesma função. Mas, talvez seja possível remover a maioria das más influências da parte do corpo do Abyss e a interferência na mente. Ela pode ser capaz de retornar a um corpo que quase não é diferente de um humano na realidade, sem ser mais influenciada por uma flauta de chifre—”

“Voltei.”

“……!?”

Philuffy que chegou trazendo outra porção de chá colocou uma bandeja com xícaras sobre a mesa.

Depois disso, ela se sentou ao lado do Lux e olhou para a irmã mais velha com uma expressão insatisfeita.

“Te odeio, Onee-chan.”

“Eh……!?”

Philuffy disse isso com seu tom ameno de sempre e expressão distraída.

Relie, que viu isso, empalideceu e deu desculpas.

“Ei, você entendeu mal Phi, isto é, sabe, eu estava apenas falando sobre a possibilidade—”

“Você prometeu não contar isso para o Lu-chan.”

“…….Err, Phi?”

*Puih* Philuffy olhou para o lado ainda com o rosto inexpressivo. Vendo isso, Relie estava com a testa suada e ficou em silêncio.

“I-Isso, então, tenho trabalho a fazer, então nós terminamos por agora…”

Assim, ela estava demonstrando uma expressão de desespero ao sair da sala.

Como Philuffy era teimosa apesar de sua aparência, ela deve ter adivinhado que qualquer coisa que fizesse seria inútil quando ficava assim.

(Ou melhor, está tudo bem a diretora deixar a diretoria…?)

Lux não pôde deixar de sentir pena de ver aquela figura saindo com os ombros baixos enquanto ainda usava uma fantasia de bruxa.

“……Eu trouxe, mais chá.”

“Ah, certo… obrigado.”

Quando Lux voltou a si, Philuffy estava lhe dando outra porção de chá.

Mas, alguns segundos depois, Lux perguntou o que o incomodava.

“Posso perguntar o que a deixou zangada com a Relie-san agora?”

“…………”

Philuffy estava em silêncio ao lado do Lux em sua fantasia de coelho com alta taxa de exposição.

“Não é como se eu estivesse sentindo dor ou algo assim, sabe?”

Sua amiga de infância respondeu como de costume com seu próprio ritmo, rosto inexpressivo e pupilas douradas puras.

“Um Abyss está misturado dentro do meu corpo, mas estou bem. Eu não quero que enfrente ainda mais perigo do que isso, Lu-chan. Serei muitas vezes mais feliz por poder ficarmos juntos.”

“…………”

Desta vez foi a vez de Lux ficar sem palavras com as palavras de Philuffy.

‘Entendo.’ Ele pensou, ele percebeu o significado de sua conversa com Relie agora um pouco tarde.

Relie não disse isso diretamente, mas ela queria que Lux perseguisse a possibilidade de que a Philuffy seria capaz de voltar ao normal usando a tecnologia ancestral de Avalon.

Se ele obtivesse grandes conquistas como um dos Sete Paladinos Dragão, a recompensa dos Lords também aumentaria.

O benefício dessa antiga tecnologia e legado poderia ser obtido por meio do Novo Reino, mas se ele também pudesse se tornar a figura central no esforço para chegar a Avalon, o direito de obter uma recompensa aumentaria.

Relie não falou com clareza, mas estava convencida de que, se falasse sobre isso, Lux faria o possível para que isso acontecesse.

Mas— Philuffy não queria que Lux fizesse coisas imprudentes para salvá-la.

Anteriormente, ele tentou salvar Yoruka e quase perdeu a vida.

Ela deve ter dito a Relie para não contar a Lux sobre este assunto para que ele não enfrentasse o perigo.

Foi por isso que Philuffy estava com raiva da Relie, que estava contando a Lux sobre isso enquanto ela estava longe de seu assento.

“…………”

Ele entendeu os sentimentos da Philuffy.

Ele também entendia os sentimentos dela, que sempre estava perto dele e o apoiava.

Porém—

“Phi-chan, faça as pazes com Relie-san mais tarde, ok?”

Lux sorriu baixinho ao dizer isso.

“Porque, fico feliz em saber que pode haver uma maneira de curar seu corpo, Phi-chan.”

“…………É por isso que eu não queria que você soubesse, Lu-chan.”

Philuffy estufou as bochechas de seu rosto inexpressivo, parecendo um tanto aborrecida.

“Mas, Phi-chan, não precisa se preocupar com isso. Porque, estou feliz que ainda seja possível para o seu corpo melhorar. Posso pensar que é ótimo ter me tornado um dos Sete Paladinos Dragão só de pensar nisso.”

Quando Lux sorriu ao dizer isso, ao lado dele, Philuffy puxou suavemente o corpo de Lux para perto.

Ela abraçou Lux com um movimento muito natural, mas gentil.

“Você não mudou, Lu-chan.”

Uma voz fofa como doce fez cócegas na orelha do Lux.

A sensação de seios que foram docemente pressionados sobre ele fez seu coração bater mais rápido.

Mas mesmo essa emoção foi encoberta por seus sentimentos por ela que enchiam seu coração até a borda.

“Então, eu também vou lutar novamente. Desta vez com certeza, então você não será muito imprudente, Lu-chan.”

“Sim. Vamos fazer o nosso melhor juntos, Phi-chan.”

Mesmo que fosse perigoso, ele a queria ao seu lado. O sentimento do Lux quando ele deu a ela o cinturão da espada para seu Sword Device não mudou nem mesmo agora.

Eles se tratavam como o mais importante e, pelo bem do outro, até se obrigavam. Desde o início, eles nem mesmo pensaram que estavam se forçando.

Eles eram pessoas semelhantes nesse aspecto.

O coração do Lux foi curado apenas por estar ao seu lado assim, como quando eram crianças.

Era misterioso que ele não tivesse notado até agora— não, na verdade ele tinha notado desde o passado.

Que ele estava abrigando uma emoção que era mais do que simplesmente ser amigo de infância ou amigo dela.

A existência que o salvou da solidão, a garota que se tornou sua primeira amiga.

Ele sendo um criminoso do Antigo Império, e o sentimento de endividamento por não poder salvá-la fez com que ele mantivesse esse sentimento todo esse tempo, isso era tudo.

(Se eu não decidir antes que a batalha contra o Eclipse Sagrado termine…)

Se o corpo da Philuffy pudesse ser curado pela tecnologia de Avalon.

Se esse sentimento de dívida desaparecesse do coração de Lux.

Naquele momento—

“……Então, Phi-chan. Vamos nos encontrar novamente no Festival da Noite Santa.”

Depois de passar um tempo nostálgico, Lux se separou da Philuffy e saiu da sala da diretora.

Depois de dizer a Relie, que estava vagando hesitante fora da sala que Philuffy não estava mais com raiva, ela voltou para dentro enquanto dançava ruidosamente.

“Mesmo assim, uma cápsula de hibernação na ilha onde Yoruka estava dormindo hein……. Com base na situação, talvez a princípio tenha sido trazido da Ark.”

Foi uma conquista da Relie trazer as instalações da Ruína até a Academia, mas uma certa pessoa deveria estar envolvida com ela para elevá-la até um nível onde fosse possível ser usada.

Em seguida, ele iria para onde Krulcifer estava à tarde para agradecer por isso.

O lugar ficava na sala subterrânea do hangar Drag-Ride.

Ele foi para aquele lugar que originalmente era proibido de entrar.

Part 2

When he opened the door using the key he received from Headmaster Relie, a beautiful woman who was like a fairy turned around.

「What a shame. Even though Lux-kun finally visited me, we have to talk while standing in a place without elegance like this.」

The one who said that with a smile while brushing up her blue hair was the daughter of a count from the Ymir Theocracy, Krulcifer.

Right beside her was a metal box that was making working sounds *gogon……*──the hibernation pod was shining.

From Lux’s point of view, it was a huge coffin that was put diagonally.

The lid part was made from transparent glass so people outside could grasp the healing progress that was being done inside.

Similar to when Lux was injected with Elixir from Sacred Eclipse, he felt like there was something similar to that within the scene he witnessed.

「Thank you Krulcifer-san. For making it possible to use this.」

「Half of it is thanks to your little sister you know? She helped a lot with the deciphering of the method to use the simple parts, though the rough deciphering was done in the Hall.」

「I see.」

Lux nodded in comprehension.

Krulcifer’s homeland, the Ymir Theocracy.

Inside the fourth Ruin, Hall, was an archive that existed there. She searched for the manual of how to use the hibernation pod there and translated it.

Krulcifer was a Key’s Supervisor, and she was able to perform that feat by ordering the Ruin’s Gear Leader, Ney Louches, but at the surface it was made to look like Airi was the one who deciphered the manual.

The matter of the hibernation pod’s discovery and its usability was also reported to the world alliance, Seven Dragon Paladins, and also the Lords, but the details of the process was concealed.

Due to the tense situation with Soffice who was managing the seventh Ruin, Moon, if it was exposed that Krulcifer was secretly contacting Ney, then they wouldn’t know what kind of trouble it would bring.

And then, now that Philuffy’s treatment was over, Heiburg’s representative, Rosa Granhide was entering the pod for the sake of the coming battle, but──

「Can I ask you to not stare so hard at her nakedness? I have known already that Lux-kun is a boy without integrity though.」

「Yo, you’re wrong, I’m not! That’s, I wasn’t looking because of such thought──!?」

Lux averted his eyes in panic after Krulcifer’s mischievous whisper.

「Is that really true? Somehow it looks like the way you look at us recently has also changed after all.」

「…………」

He couldn’t deny that.

Or rather, one reason for that was also because of the strong approach of the girls so he wanted to object, but it felt like he would be teased even more if he did that so he stopped.

There was no way Lux could win against Krulcifer in the exchange between man and woman.

「Then, let’s leave the control of this place and go outside.」

「Is that alright?」

「Yes, they also came here for that, and this is a visit from you that is rare to come by, so it will be a waste to end it with only a talk inside this kind of underground.」

「They?」

「Your vigilance is insufficient there. Because it’s you Lux-kun, I thought you would have noticed already but──」

「Ah……」

Lux recalled something and turned around, at that moment sound came from outside the room.

(As I thought, it’s the Triad……)

Even while feeling half astonished, Lux thought that they would surely monitor this place while he and Krulcifer were away.

After they got out of the underground of the hangar following Krulcifer’s recommendation, they set out to the city by making use of the after school time.

Part 3

「Somehow, it feels like it has been really long since the last time we walked in the city slowly like this.」

Lux along with Krulcifer watched the townscape wearing a coat above their uniform.

The fortress city with cross shape, Cross Field.

The first block was located in the center of it.

Even though he had walked here several times at his chore livelihood period, now it felt like it was different somewhere.

Was it because there were only two months left until the estimated world destruction?

Or perhaps, it was because for a while he was going around foreign countries and fought continuously?

The townscape that should be familiar to him felt really nostalgic.

「The New Kingdom is warm even though it’s also winter. It helps that we don’t need to wear thick clothes.」

Krulcifer wrapped a scarf around her neck while talking with an earnest tone.

Because she was coming and going from the New Kingdom to the Ymir Theocracy every week, she clearly understood the difference in weather between the two countries.

As expected, even with Fafnir that possessed top class mobility, it took time to come and go between countries even if it was less than a day.

Even Krulcifer who possessed overwhelmingly high Drag-Ride aptitude couldn’t hold out if she didn’t take a rest.

But even with that much trouble, Krulcifer said that she was glad she became Mel’s aide in the Ymir Theocracy.

「As expected, Krulcifer-san understands the difference well isn’t it? Like the air of the Ymir Theocracy or something.」

「I guess. Until now I have never thought of such thing, but since I became closer with those people──being able to open my heart to my family, and becoming friends with Mel, with my butler Alterize, and also with the Automaton Ney Louches, I understood really well.」

She paused her words for a moment, and turned a smile that seemed warm towards Lux.

「I understood that the Ymir Theocracy, the house of Einvolk, they are my birthplace. I can feel that every time I fought, crossed the point between life and death, and returned alive. If I kept living under the impression that I am shunned by my family, surely──I wouldn’t be able to feel like this.」

「I’m glad. It’s great that Krulcifer-san can say that now.」

Lux showed a relieved smile at her words.

Then, Krulcifer smiled bewitchingly and brought her cheek closer to him.

「Why are you talking like it is someone else’s matter like that? All of this is also thanks to your cooperation right? You know, every time I return home, Alterize is always noisy. She kept asking──『Actually how much have you progressed with him』.」

「That’s because Krulcifer-san deceived everyone right!?」

Lux retorted in panic at Krulcifer’s whisper that sounded like she was really enjoying it.

However, now after some time had passed since then, he understood the meaning of her words.

He understood that those weren’t words that were simply a cover up for the search of a fiancée.

He understood that it was the wish of none other than Krulcifer herself.

「I guess you’re right. However, for the time being there won’t be any progress in that front until two more months──until Sacred Eclipse is defeated. It’s unfortunate, but after all it was me who first brought up about the pact to those girls.」

「The Triad also mentioned it but, what is that pact about?」

「──It’s a secret. There are things that I cannot say even to you my benefactor. I made a promise with everyone else.」

How should he say it, he thought that Krulcifer was like always.

She was always teasing and leading Lux by the nose in a different form than the airheaded Philuffy.

But, mysteriously this ticklish rapport of his with her felt pleasant.

「That’s why, right now I’m still going easy on you. But when the time comes, I’ll get serious on you again.」

「That feels scary somehow, Krulcifer-san.」

Lux was trickling cold sweat at Krulcifer’s smile that was filled with implication somewhere.

While he was walking on the street with a conflicted expression, a female shopkeeper with wide girth suddenly called out to him.

「Oh, isn’t this Lux? What are you doing? You neglected guarding the princess and going on a date instead, even you cannot be underestimated eh.」

「Ah…… long time no see, missus.」

It was an auntie of a restaurant that also helped with the stocking up in the period of the Holy Night Festival.

Since Lux entered the Academy after chasing the cat that stole a pouch, he hadn’t met her again, but──

「What are you saying? I have no plan to make you do any more chores. You protecting Cross Field and the New Kingdom as a Drag-Knight of Syvalles is far more important. More importantly, are you hungry? You are finally here so have something to eat.」

「……Then, let me accept your kind offer for a bit.」

「Oo! This is a nostalgic face! Are you doing fine?」

When Lux entered inside the restaurant, a youngster of a farmer family who was sitting on a chair leaped up to his feet.

Next his coworker from a bar, then the son of a blacksmith who happened to pass through also called out to him one after another.

But, in contrast to Lux’s expectation, they didn’t ask him requests to do chores and only gave him words of thanks for his periodical great efforts.

「It can’t be helped. I wonder if Lux-kun can let me experience your other birthplace too? I’ll be happy if I can hear about the story from your chore livelihood period. I’m interested in stories like how Lux-kun wooed girls in a bar or the like.」

Krulcifer smiled with her eyes glinting sharply.

It seemed she was trying to acquire more material to tease Lux with.

「That, please go easy on me……」

Lux smiled wryly. While together with Krulcifer, he was exchanging words with the nostalgic people he knew from the period when he was doing chores.

The days of the past when he spent his time doing chores and got recognized by the citizens.

The words of Krulcifer who said that it was his other birthplace remained in his ears.

Part 4

After spending peaceful time after so long, Lux parted with Krulcifer and headed to the government office building at the first block.

Following the list that was given to him by the Triad, he would visit Lisha next.

He didn’t hear it directly from Lisha, but he heard that she was practicing here for her greeting at the New Year parade that would be held in the New Kingdom. It made him unable to sit still after knowing that.

Furthermore, this time it seemed there would be an attempt to decorate the government office building with Drag-Rides for the Holy Night Festival.

Lisha was checking the display items for the sake of the final tuning.

「Lisha-sama! Thank you for your hard work!」

Lisha was doing work on a high place by standing on a foothold that was constructed from wood material. Lux called out to her from right below.

Then, Lisha who was concentrating got taken aback and she turned towards him in hurry.

She was the Princess of New Kingdom with her red eyes that were like jewels and her blonde hair that was tied with a side tail style as her distinctive traits.

Her body build was small, but she was a girl who contained blazing enthusiasm inside like a sun.

Right now she was wearing her white coat that she often wore when developing Drag-Rides while performing tuning with a Sword Device in one hand.

「Lu, Lux-!? Why are you here──」

「I prepared dinner, so how about taking a breather? I also brought Lisha-sama’s favorite apple pie.」

The basket that he asked the restaurant to prepare was filled with warm rock so the dishes wouldn’t be cold.

But, it was still better to eat it while not much time had passed.

Thinking that, Lux called out to her loudly, but──

「Wai-, wait a second! No wait, as expected my current appearance is──uwah!?」

She looked flustered about something while touching her own coat and face, after that she took a misstep and staggered from her foothold.

Lux who saw that quickly put down the basket and kicked on the floor in a dash.

Lisha was falling from the height of three or four ml. He splendidly caught her with both hands.

「Tsu……!? O, oi Lux! Are you okay!?」

「Yes, I’m fine. Lisha-sama yourself──」

「I, idiot! It’s dangerous if you suddenly call out right!? Besides you recklessly caught me like this, if you are injured──」

「I’m sorry about my voice. But, it’s only natural for me to save Lisha-sama. Even like this, I am Lisha-sama’s knight after all.」

When Lux smiled at Lisha while still holding her in his arms, the cheeks of the New Kingdom’s Princess flushed red and she averted her face shyly.

「Good grief……that’s why this is no good. If you come showing your face suddenly, I can’t help but getting shaken from happiness.」

「Eh……?」

She muttered that with a low voice, so he was unable to hear the last part clearly.

「I, it’s nothing-! More importantly, the meal. If I don’t wash my hands──」

「I also brought a towel to wipe your hands with, here.」

He put down Lisha and picked up the basket, then they sat on a bench that was a slight distance away from the workplace and they ate dinner together.

Vegetable soup with stock from meat and bone.

Sandwich with bacon and egg in between, apple pie as desert, and so on. After consuming those, they took a rest.

During that time, Lux stared at the Drag-Rides on display that Lisha was decorating and tuning.

「Is this, Lisha-sama’s work for the Holy Night Festival?」

「Yeah, Haha-ue said that it will be a good symbol to convey my work to the people. She asked me whether I would be able to decorate the government office building with a Drag-Ride that I tuned.」

Lisha didn’t only make conspicuous service as a Drag-Knight, but she was also known to produce results with Drag-Ride development.

Normally it couldn’t be shown to the public to maintain secrecy, but this time new type Drag-Rides would be put on display as a special occasion.

「Well, it can’t be helped. After all there is really nothing else that is princess like from me. Although, it also won’t look very good if it’s just a simple decoration, so I also applied the blueprint of ancient documents obtained until now and lined up things with unique shape.」

Lisha folded her arms looking proud.

In front of Lux, three types of general purpose Drag-Rides, the flying type,Wyvern, the land battle type Wyrm, and the special equipment type Drake were lined up.

「Eh……? But this, their shape is different from normal?」

「As expected from my knight. You have good eyes.」

Lisha raised her voice in excitement at what Lux pointed out and bit at the topic.

「They are normal Drag-Rides that I remodeled into a special type. Something like this is also development, to be constantly progressing.」

「Is that so, as expected, it will be bad to display the combined Drag-Rides here.」

When Lux enrolled at first, Lisha was already developing the Chimeratech Wyvern that was the combination of flying type and land battle type.

Compared to that, the modification of these general purpose Drag-Rides wasn’t really striking out. No, rather──

「Or rather, will they move properly? Somehow, rather than a single Drag-Ride, each of them looks like they are disassembled in various places──」

「They will. Besides, those three Drag-Rides are only models in the end. My 『new type』 that can be used in real battle is already placed in the underground of the Drag-Ride hangar.」

Guessing from her confident smile, most likely she had finished something absurd that surpassed that Chimeratech Wyvern.

These display items seemed to only line up the middle result of the progress until she reached that development.

「Well but, the truth is I’m quite reluctant……. Displaying my work like this.」

「Why?」

When Lux tilted his head, Lisha looked up at the Drag-Rides with a despondent look.

「After this, the New Kingdom will also raise taxes. Recruitment for soldiers is also inevitable with the recent consecutive battles, there is also the matter of compensation for borrowing soldiers from the Four Great Nobles. The increased amount of military spending cannot be avoided.」

「So this display is for the sake of convincing the people of that?」

「It wasn’t Haha-ue──her majesty Queen Raffi who said it. Though I don’t know if it was the suggestion of Prime Minister Nulph or the man called Zagha of the Four Great Nobles. The result of my research too, in the end it will be used for government promotion.」

The Drag-Rides of princess Lisha were lined up in display at the Holy Night Festival that was originally a solemn event.

The tax would be increased for the expansion of military spending, which would raise dissatisfaction and doubt from the people. For Lisha who had the thought of protecting the people of the kingdom at the forefront of her mind, this was a proposal for the sake of clearing up that negativity.

It might be correct to call this as making use of the Holy Night Festival for the sake of that.

It might be inappropriate for Lux to say it, but this was something that often happened when moving the country.

In fact the world was currently in danger right now, so it couldn’t be helped.

「That is not a strange thing. In fact Lisha-sama is obtaining results in both research and also in battle.」

「I guess……. It’s just as you say. However, well, with this kind of work behind the scenes as Princess, a simple and stupid girl like me is thinking like this. Is this, not a betrayal towards the people?」

Lisha looked at the Drag-Rides and murmured.

「If Lisha-sama is thinking until that far, then Lisha-sama is a splendid princess already.」

「I, is that so?」

「It’s completely different with the Old Kingdom in the past. Besides, if that’s what Lisha-sama is thinking, it will be fine if you just don’t act like that.」

Lux gave such advice to the wavering princess.

「I, is that so?」

「It will be fine if Lisha-sama conveys to everyone as much as possible what you are thinking about the present situation of the national politics. If you do that, surely her majesty and also everyone of Cross Field will understand.」

「I see……. You’re right.」

After hesitating slightly, hesitation cleared up from Lisha’s expression.

「Yosh! If that’s decided, I’m giving it extra effort. My bad but I’ll have you help out too!」

「Yes, it’s my pleasure.」

Lux helped Lisha who had recovered her spirit and the tuning of the new type Drag-Rides for the display was finished.

In the first place, it was just choosing things and than putting them on display, so it didn’t take much time.

Even though Lisha was in the middle of standby and this was 『a work as Princess』, but seeing that she was one of the few Drag-Ride researchers who existed, the New Kingdom didn’t want to waste too much of her time with this.

After finishing the work, a coach came to pick them up, so they got on it and returned to the Academy.

Midway, Lux and Lisha were shook inside the coach while watching the night scenery of Cross Field that was decorated for the Holy Night Festival.

The people of this country didn’t know about the danger of Sacred Eclipse.

But, the information that the Ruins were getting active and that the threat of the Abyss was heightening was circulated, and yet for the atmosphere to be this peaceful was solely thanks to the New Kingdom.

The New Kingdom military, Lisha, and many other people were protecting the country and secured safety, thanks to that the people could go through the Holy Night Festival safely like this.

Just that was enough for Lux to feel happy.

「It’s a beautiful sight isn’t it, Lisha-sama.」

「Yeah. But──I’m a bit dissatisfied here.」

「Eh……?」

The cheeks of Lisha who until now looked like she was in a good mood were slightly puffed up and she leaked out her complaint.

「Why did you come visiting me in this kind of time huh? It’s the truth that you helped me out but, that, if you came while I’m doing nothing, I will be able to keep you company after dressing myself properly, and yet──」

「…………」

「Isn’t it unsightly when I’m drenched with sweat and oil like this……」

Lisha averted her face shyly and caressed her own hair looking troubled.

‘I see.’ Lux thought. He understood the reason why Lisha was panicked when he called out to her first and she lost her footing.

From Lisha’s point of view, she wished to meet Lux in a beautiful appearance at the time when there was no work related to Drag-Rides.

But, that was something completely irrelevant to Lux.

He wasn’t bothered by the smell of oil and metal that were used for tuning Drag-Rides.

Even so Lisha was bothered with her own appearance that was like this while Lux was with her. That figure of hers who was like that was lovable.

「……Fuah」

Lux reflexively reached out his hand and patted Lisha’s soft blonde hair.

Then, Lisha’s eyes snapped open in surprise and she looked up at Lux with a dazed expression.

「Lisha-sama isn’t unsightly at all. The figure of Lisha-sama who is working hard as the Princess of the New Kingdom, is really lovely, and cool.」

That was Lux’s unvarnished true feeling.

Just how many nobles and royalty out there who were only showing their good side to the public?

Just how many people where there like that, who he had seen when he was staying at the center of the Old Empire as a child?

There was nothing nobler than being able to work hard, getting dirty and injured for the sake of someone else when there was nobody else watching.

That was the ideal royalty that Lux wished to exist when his heart was pained by the Old Empire’s despotic rule.

And such ideal could be seen in the current figure of Lisha.

「Eh? Lisha-sama……?」

Lux became concerned when she didn’t reply. Looking closer, Lisha’s mouth was staying open with flushed cheeks looking dazed.

「……That’s, not true.」

After looking dumbfounded for a few seconds, Lisha came back to herself suddenly and gasped, then she continued her words.

「Even if, if you aren’t by my side, I won’t be able to have the courage to face the people of this country and everyone in the Academy as the New Kingdom’s Princess. Even the Drag-Ride research, it was nothing more than an excuse for me to escape from the duty in front of me.」

Lisha spoke that to the finish and lifted up her face. She stared still at Lux’s face.

「I became able to face myself as a princess…… was thanks to you. Because Lux, you supported me.」

「Lisha, sama……」

「Say, Lux. Even when this fight is over, will you──……no, it’s nothing.」

Lisha suddenly was going to say something with a low voice and a vaguely lonely look, but she faltered.

After Lux stared at that with a serious face for a few moments, he nodded strongly and took the hand of this lovable small princess.

「I will accompany you till the end. Please rest assured, Lisha-sama.」

「I, I see……wait, don’t get too close. That’s, because of the work, I’m smelly right now right?」

「Eh? It’s all right, there is also a bit of sweaty scent but, it’s a nice smell so──wait」

His tongue slipped.

It was already too late when he noticed that. Lisha’s face went red like a boiled octopus and she raised her voice angrily.

「You’re noisy shut up! A guy like you is just──!」

「I, I’m really sorry-!」

After receiving Lisha’s eruption for a while, the laughter of two people resounded inside the coach.

The lighting of the city shining inside the night scenery was sparkling like jewels.

Part 5

「Lisha-sama is working really hard.」

After that, Lux who returned to the girl’s dormitory changed into his room clothes and relaxed.

While he was going around visiting various countries as a Seven Dragon Paladin, during her exhausting work, Lisha wasn’t just developing Drag-Rides, she was also making proactive effort as a princess.

She had no conspicuous achievement on the surface, but whether it was the strengthening of the Triad’s Drag-Rides, or the repairing of Syvalles’ members’ Divine Drag-Rides, she was undoubtedly doing great efforts behind the scenes.

「I too shouldn’t only pay attention to the outside, but I have to become Lisha-sama’s strength as a knight too……」

He thought that he was really able to serve an ideal master.

At the same time, he also noticed the fact that he was attracted in some level to her earnest figure.

『Say, Lux. Even when this fight is over, will you──……no, it’s nothing.』

「There is no way……right?」

He felt like that heartfelt sentence of Lisha was also filled with another emotion.

That she wished him to be at her side supporting her forever from here on too.

But, if that wasn’t just Lux’s misunderstanding, then after they escaped this predicament and liberated Avalon, Lux would──

「……Right now isn’t the time for that.」

He lightly tensed his face in front of the mirror and fired up himself once more.

Although right now the situation was like a short break, he mustn’t let his mind wander too much.

He didn’t know when this state of tension would be dissolved and they entered into a long deadly battle.

He had finished visiting the girls.

Yoruka who was heavily injured wouldn’t be able to move for a while, but Celis, Philuffy, Krulcifer, and also Lisha-

The girls who would become the cornerstone of the battle, their feelings were connected with him.

After that, there was only one thing that worried him in a sense but──

When Lux was absorbed into his thought like that, *knock knock* sound came from his door.

「’Sup Lux-chi, how’s it going? The bath is empty y’know?」

「Thank you Tillfur.」

It was Tillfur of the Triad who brought that notification with a friendly voice.

Lux replied to her while showing his face from the room.

「So, have you talked with everyone?」

「Yes. I have also met with Lisha-sama, then there is only one person left I think.」

「I see, then great timing. I also have to tell Noct then.」

Tillfur made a suspicious smile that seemed to have hidden meaning.

When Lux made a puzzled face, Tillfur who read his expression answered him.

「You seee, Noct consulted with me for a bit just now. Since the previous battle, Airi-chan seems strange y’know. Like her heart is far away even though her body is here. Looks like she’s got a lot on her mind.」

「Did, something happen?」

The traitor Key’s Supervisor, Soffice Xfer, kidnapped Airi previously. After that, Airi returned safely but, she only said 『Nothing happened』 when she was asked about the time she was taken away.

(Come to think of it, she was also worried when she found the list of the Holy Arcadia Empire.)

Just as her external appearance suggested, Airi was a girl with a calm and smart head, but she was an exceptional worrywart when it was regarding her only family Lux.

(No, that’s surely my fault I think……)

From Lux’s point of view, him being greatly busy doing chores was something normal, him getting dragged into something troublesome and meeting danger was also something that couldn’t be helped for him in that situation.

But, from Airi’s point of view, it only looked like because Lux was always being reckless that he almost died.

In reality it was exactly like that, there was no room for argument.

(But, just a bit more. Soon it will be over.)

In order to stop the world’s destruction, he couldn’t declare with certainty that he wouldn’t be reckless anymore.

But, of course, Lux didn’t plan to die and leave behind Airi by herself.

But, he had to have a heartfelt talk with her one more time for now.

Lux was thinking such thing while opening the door to the large public bath and entered.

When he went towards the washing place to shower with hot water and clean his body, he heard a sound from beside the large marble pillar inside.

「Eh……?」

Strange.

Based on what he heard from the Triad, this time should be fully reserved for him, and yet…

(Don’t tell me──an intruder?)

Lux immediately moved silently and held his breath.

Normally it would be impossible, but if by chance there was an assassin aiming for Lux’s life, then it was a different story.

There was enough possibility that Dragon Marauder or the like would aim for him who was the Seven Dragon Paladin of the New Kingdom.

In a sense Lux would always be together with someone else, but this bathing time was the short period where he would be alone and defenseless.

In fact, he left behind his Sword Device along with his clothes, so he would have no way to defend himself if he was targeted in this situation.

It would be a different story if it was Yoruka who could even use a single razor as a weapon but──

「……Haa. It’s already this late.」

At that time, he could hear a sigh from the opposite side of the pillar as though to back up Lux’s conjecture.

Lux who caught that voice got taken aback and peeked at the situation on the other side.

(As I thought, there is someone! One person)

If he was going to fight in this situation, he could only take the first move quickly.

He had no other choice but to restrain the opponent’s movements while they were searching for Lux.

(Yosh──)

After taking several deep breaths, Lux resolved himself.

With a towel in one hand to bind the hands of the enemy, he gradually approached the other side of the pillar.

Inside the steam that was like thick mist, that silhouette turned around to his way. In that instant, Lux moved.

「Don’t move-!」

Lux intentionally raised his voice threateningly in order to take the enemy by surprise.

「─────!?」

Because he closed the distance and grabbed the opponent’s arm, the true identity of the intruder became clear.

Glossy silver hair fluttered and clear gray eyes snapped wide open in shock.

That figure which looked like he was looking at a mirror for a moment──exposed beautifully white skin color.

「……Eh?」

「Wha, wha……!?」

Lux’s thought crashed to a halt while his hand kept holding the girl’s slender arm.

That person was no one else than Lux’s little sister, Airi.

「────KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!」

Less than ten seconds after she raised a shrill scream, sounds of multiple footsteps from several girls came running.

「What’s wrong Airi-chan!? What happened!?」

「……N, no, I’m sorry for making a commotion. I slipped and almost fell, that’s all. I’m fine now, I’m not injured or anything.」

Saying that, Airi sent away her classmates who entered into the public bath.

Lux was hiding inside the milky white hot water right nearby.

「It’s fine already, Nii-san.」

「Puhah!」

When Lux picked up his head from inside the hot water, Airi averted her blushing face.

「……Please don’t look this way. The next time you look, I will call people here for real.」

「Ah, right. Sorry……」

There was no way for Lux to object after he had in fact looked.

Well, when Airi was still sickly, they often entered bath together, but as expected their figures now were different from the past.

Regarding the degree of her chest’s bulge, it didn’t look like that place had grown much but──

「I will drown Nii-san if you think of anything improper.」

「It’s nothing at all……」

How did she read Lux’s heart even though she was turning her back to him?

Perhaps it should be said, as expected from a blood relative.

However, due to Airi’s compassion, he somehow avoided the sentence of getting thrust out before the dorm mother.

「……This must be Noct’s doing. My translation work got dragged on for a bit, so I entered the bath alone this late.」

「I completely thought that an assassin or someone is sneaking inside……」

「There won’t be anything like that. Just what does Nii-san think your position is?」

When Lux told his excuse, Airi let out an exasperated sigh.

「That’s, what do you mean……?」

Lux asked while they were keeping their backs turned on each other.

Then, an answer that was completely unexpected came back.

「Recently, Nii-san’s bathing time is monitored by the radar of Noct’s Drake. After all it will be troubling if Nii-san is targeted while entering the bath alone and defenselessly with this fixed schedule.」

「Tha, that’s what is going on?」

「Well, it was my personal request, but the headmaster has given permission. Besides Nii-san is too careless most of the time. Even though it’s possible that spies like Saniya-senpai are sneaking into this Academy, what are you going to do without preparing any countermeasure for that?」

「Well……you’re, right.」

It seemed that Noct undertook the monitoring role in order to be alert of the enemy movement without stimulating the students by making the watch-keeping not too exaggerated but──

「──Wait a second! Isn’t that strange? Noct is noticing right now that Airi and I are together here right?」

It was Noct who didn’t stop Airi who was late from taking a bath to enter here, and it was also her fellow Triad, Tillfur, who recommended Lux to enter the bath under such situation.

Even if, for example, there was a misunderstanding that occurred between them, if Noct searched with her Drake, she should have noticed this situation right now──

「That’s why I’m angry. I have to reprimand Noct severely later──」

Behind him Airi was puffing up her cheeks, which he could easily imagine even without looking back.

In other words, this was surely the Triad’s scheme.

Surely they meant Lux to ask the feelings of Airi who was worrying but wouldn’t speak about it.

(Their method is absurd as always though……)

Lux was exasperated inside his heart even while he tried to live up to their expectations.

After all Lux also wanted to ask Airi.

「Speaking about it, how is your condition recently Airi? I wasn’t really here these few days because I was attending the New Kingdom’s war council after all.」

「There is nothing particularly strange. I’m desperate to clean up after the incident that Nii-san caused as usual.」

「A, ahaha……」

The conversation stopped completely after Lux laughed awkwardly.

Only the sound of water mixing and white steam rising marked the passing of time.

Although she was his little sister who had been together with him since they were little, it felt a bit embarrassing to enter the bath together.

But at the same time, Lux also felt an odd sense of nostalgia.

Airi was sickly when she was little. She was a honest kid who was really clingy and spoiled towards Lux.

The older she got, she became a mature child with a clever mouth, but he believed that at the bottom of her heart she hadn’t changed even now.

「That’s, I really think it’s my bad that I keep making Airi worry and fuss about my needs. When this battle is over, I will make it up to you for sure.」

「Nii-san is always treating me like a child like that, please stop it.」

When Lux tried to put her in a good mood, she immediately replied with sharp words.

Surely she was making her usual reproachful gaze right now.

「It’s not like I’m wishing Nii-san to do anything more for me than right now.」

「I, I see, that makes me feel a bit lonely though──」

When Lux smiled wryly while feeling a bit shaken up, Airi immediately denied it.

「That’s not it. That’s not what I mean. What Nii-san has done for me is already more than enough. Originally we, who were in the position of imperial family members, are existences that the people of the New Kingdom would ostracize. In order to improve our position, I conducted myself sociably and worked hard in deciphering the Ruins’ ancient documents. But──Nii-san formed communication with everyone, you clashed with them, reached understandings with each other, and got recognized by everyone.」

「That’s, a coincidence. It’s not just me, everyone is also good people who treated me well, and it’s also thanks to Airi who is staying in the Academy──」

Lux scratched his head and spoke with an embarrassed tone.

But, Airi continued her words with a quiet voice that sounded detached just like before.

「That’s why──it’s the opposite. I’m not asking for anything from Nii-san, it’s painful that I cannot do anything. I, who doesn’t have the stamina and technique to wear a Drag-Ride, cannot be of any help even in this situation where the New Kingdom is cornered to the wall. Even though I want to fight if that means I will be able to fight Nii-san with my own strength……」

「Airi……」

She had changed, but actually not.

All this time since that time until now, Airi was a little sister who was thinking anxiously for Lux’s well being.

Lux’s heart was struck by the pure feelings of his only remaining family.

Just that feeling of hers was enough.

For what was he fighting? As long as that was clear, he wouldn’t hesitate.

「I also said this before but, I can fight because Airi is waiting for me. When you were kidnapped to the Moon before this too, my heart was gripped by terror. That’s why, it’s fine for you to stay like this. Because you can be my strength like this even more than fighting together with me.」

「Haa……Nii-san is always talking sweetly to girls like that. Just what are you going to do about the future? The management of the female students giving presents to Nii-san at the Holy Night Festival, if I don’t take care of it, it will become a disaster you know?」

When Airi who submerged herself inside the bathtub until her shoulder turned around, she said that to him with an exasperated gaze.

Since when it became like that he wondered.

The event that Relie said she would hold felt somewhat scary now…….

「A, and that’s why, because I’m an unreliable big brother like this, please take care of this incompetent me.」

「……What a hopeless Nii-san. You won’t be able to do anything without me here.」

When Lux pleaded with a wry smile, Airi also smiled and jokingly made an air of importance.

The siblings enjoyed a nostalgic family time.

Part 6

Because it would take time to change clothes, Lux got out of the bath first.

It was only for a few minutes, but Airi who was left alone engrossed herself in her thought.

In the end──she was unable to say her true trouble to her big brother.

She couldn’t let Lux do anything dangerous more than this.

In the previous battle, after she was kidnapped to the seventh Ruin Moon, she was approached with a certain deal from the Seven Dragon Paladins traitor Soffice.

–

『There is a way to end this battle bloodlessly. Even though you might not be aware of it, but you are holding the key for that. The next time we call on you, I want you to comply with us.』

After the battle the other day, the black haired girl with a red tattoo on her face told Airi that.

Thinking how she asked Dragon Marauder to steal the Grand Force that the New Kingdom entrusted to Lisha, she should be an enemy without a doubt.

『It might be a betrayal to the New Kingdom from you. But──thinking about the world, this should be the best thing to do.』

The Key’s Supervisor Soffice, and the Moon’s Automata Re Plica who introduced herself as Soffice’s little sister Uruk Septy were showing an intention to save the world in their own way.

–

『If you betray us later, I will activate the Moon’s function──the Bell of the Crazy MoonLunatic Call, gathering all the Abyss and Ragnarok and destroy the New Kingdom. Your big brother will naturally die. If you are fine with that, then you can refuse this deal.』

–

They didn’t trust the world alliance and also the Lords. They planned to liberate Avalon by themselves.

At present, they threatened all the countries with the weapons of the seventh Ruin Moon and the remaining Ragnarok, but amidst that Airi was holding the key for their plan.

From here on it was just Airi’s personal conjecture, but most likely installing a Grand Force and liberating the Ruins could only be done by the Arcadia family.

In other words, she was told to give the last push for them to be able to obtain Avalon.

They said that they wouldn’t do anything bad to her as long as she kept her promise to cooperate with them.

If she betrayed them, they would order the Ragnarok using the Moon’s functions to destroy the New Kingdom.

But naturally, in case they had evil purpose in their scheme to rule over the world, it would be Airi’s push that became the cause of the end of everything.

Even so──when Airi almost committed suicide, they let her go without doing anything to her.

–

『If possible I don’t want to kill a little sister. In the past, inside that Garden, my important little sister──Uruk was tricked and torn limb from limb. I don’t want to do the same thing like those traitors.』

–

Of course, she also couldn’t deny the possibility that Soffice words were just a made up story.

After all, in negotiations it often happened that the talk progressed smoothly not just by pushing, but also by pulling back sometimes.

Prompting cooperation by showing compassion and understanding to the cornered Airi.

There was more than enough possibility of that.

Even after taking that into consideration──Airi decided to comply with their deal.

She didn’t think that it was right.

If her action was found out, she might be given the death penalty in the New Kingdom.

For the time being, she had to skillfully probe for their objective before Avalon was liberated.

「My battle, is from here on.」

Although she couldn’t divulge it to anyone, but the other day a letter from them arrived for her. Inside it was written that the promised time would soon arrive.

Airi exited the large public bath and changed into her uniform, then she signaled Noct who was wearing Drake at a blind spot of the school building.

After Noct stopped using her radar and joined up with Airi, Airi complained about how the Triad brought Lux inside the bath, and then in the end she said that she recalled she had a business to take care of, so she wanted to be alone for a while.

She said that she had business in a hidden room where students were forbidden to enter.

「Yes. I will wait in our room, so Airi, please be careful to not catch a cold.」

The Academy’s surrounding was protected by security Drag-Knights so there was no problem.

Magialca of the Seven Dragon Paladins was also staying at the Academy as reinforcement, but she had confirmed that she had a drinking bout with Relie and she had drunk herself dead drunk.

With this, there wouldn’t be any hindrances.

She had swiped the entrance key at noon when Syvalles’s members were coming and going.

Airi headed towards the fourth Drag-Ride hangar that should be empty already.

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