Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut:Volume 13 Prologue

Prologue – The Princess’s Awakening

Part 1

「U…… umu?」

A sense of fatigue was enveloping the girl’s body like a membrane.

In one day she could only wake up for a few hours. She would lightly eat things like soup, go to toilet, and then she would sleep like a log again.

Few days passed when even the flow of time became hazy. She was still sleeping deeply.

And then, one day, Lisha suddenly woke up in a snap and sprang up from the bed.

Pure white wallpaper that gave off a clean impression and the smell of antiseptic and medicinal plants were filling the small room.

「This place is the Academy’s medical room──no, the relief room? Since when did I……!」

When she looked on the room’s mirror, her familiar face was reflected.

The girl with crimson eyes and the side tail of her blonde hair untied was the princess of the New Kingdom, Lizsharte.

After the battle against Dragon Marauder, she recalled waking up once with a clear mind.

But, after confirming everyone’s safety and the incident also reached a point where they could pause, the next day after Soffice’s welcoming party Lisha collapsed from exhaustion.

Her memory from there was terribly hazy and she couldn’t recall anything.

「What was I doing!? What day is today!? What happened with the New Years parade!?」

After yelling in her sleepwear, Lisha stood up and she was going to rush out of the room.

But, when her hand reached towards the doorknob, at that instant the door opened first and a girl showed herself.

It was Lisha’s classmate and a member of the raid squad, Syvalles.

The overseas student from the Ymir Theocracy, Krulcifer Xfer.

「I’m relieved that you look energetic, for someone who was mostly just sleeping every day that is.」

「Krulcifer!? Why are you here!? No, how many days have I been sleeping you say?」

Lisha’s eyes opened wide in puzzlement. In response, Krulcifer let out a short sigh and brushed up her hair coolly.

After urging Lisha to return to her bed for the time being, she faced her and began to talk.

「I heard about your victory from the Triad. Over Unit that clad general purpose Drag-Rides on a Divine Drag-Ride──with that you defeated the commanders of Dragon Marauder. That was magnificent.」

Krulcifer showed a smile that looked somewhat conflicted.

「However, you weren’t accustomed to it and forced yourself. If you used multiple Drag-Rides combined with a Divine Drag-Ride at the same time, your stamina and mental strength will be exhausted several times faster than normal. That excessive burden assaulted you the moment you relaxed yourself.」

「…………」

In other words, she would die if she made a single mistake──that was what Krulcifer was saying.

Thinking about it, Lisha’s spine felt a chill.

「But, in that situation there was no other way than that……」

「I guess.」

Krulcifer also honestly agreed to Lisha’s powerless murmur.

「Leaving everything to you alone in that situation was our responsibility. That’s why, there is no need for you to feel remorse.」

「What do you mean by that? Don’t tell me, you are saying that I was inadequate──」

Lisha thought that Krulcifer was being sarcastic and she immediately flared up.

But, seeing Krulcifer’s dejected expression, she noticed that it was a misunderstanding.

「That’s not it. I’m vexed with our overconfidence in our own strength. The simultaneous explosions by Oil Slimes, we made light of the strategy of Dragon Marauder’s Drakkhen, which invited such blunder.」

The perfectionist Krulcifer felt ashamed of that.

But, the battle at that time was an absurd one where they were facing Dragon Marauders and a Ragnarok at the same time, so as expected that wasn’t something that could be helped.

Even so, Krulcifer couldn’t be satisfied with just that.

「Fuh」

Lisha who guessed Krulcifer’s thinking smiled bitterly.

「So is this what you mean? We still have a way to go from how we were mutually conceited of our own strength.」

「Yes, let’s be more diligent. So that we won’t worry a certain someone who is even more reckless than us.」

That was really just like Krulcifer. Lisha too didn’t hate that kind of greed which hated to lose.

It would be even better if she also didn’t try to take away Lux, but Lisha put that aside for now.

The moment they reached a point to pause in regards to the events until now, Lisha suddenly became curious about the surroundings.

「However, although the new year has just come, the Academy ground is really quiet. The class should be starting soon though── what is Lux doing?」

「About that, you see, it looks like you are quite well already now, so perhaps it’s fine to tell you.」

Lisha tilted her head in puzzlement hearing that. In response Krulcifer suddenly changed her tone.

From a gentle and soft tone, to a voice that was tinged faintly with tension.

「……Did something happen? I remember until Lux departing to the Marcafal Kingdom along with the Seven Dragon Paladins in order to conquer Avalon, but──」

That’s right.

With the battle the other day that was connected to Soffice Xfer, all the Grand Forces became complete and the path to conquer Avalon could finally be seen.

A lot of ancient technologies and legacies were sleeping in Avalon, If they could reach to the deepest part at the center, Sacred Eclipse──the last Ragnarok that would guide the world to destruction could possibly be stopped.

With that, the world would finally be saved.

It was ascertained that Avalon was located in the Marcafal Kingdom’s abandoned capital, Guernica. The captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca had been making preparations since long ago. She gathered the elite Drag-Knights of the world alliance and took position there.

She arranged supply trains to the fortress that was near the old castle where Avalon seemed to be located, and called the Seven Dragon Paladins to gather.

Until seven days ago when Lisha lost consciousness, the remaining Ruins shouldn’t have been liberated yet.

「While you are sleeping, the two Ruins were liberated. Ymir Theocracy’s Hall, and then the New Kingdom’s Garden too.」

「I see, with that──」

「However, the one who achieved that in both Ruins were the Lords you see.」

「……-!?」

The Ruins’ capture was managed by the rulers of the ancient era, the Lords, so if it was just that then it wasn’t an affair that was particularly strange.

But, Lisha felt something strangely out of place.

「They estranged themselves from the World Alliance. And then, they announced the situation of the world that had been hidden until now to the people of each country, including the matter of Sacred Eclipse.」

「──What did you say?」

Lisha was taken aback by the sentence that Krulcifer said in succession.

「Thinking back now, they surely intended to do that from the start. They formed a pact with us until now was only until the path to Avalon was opened. It’s really troublesome. But now they have no more need for that.」

「Shit-! Those damn ungrateful bunch! After making use of us, they stole a march and intend to monopolize the legacies and technologies of the ancient era by themselves!?」

This happened just after she thought they had safely reconciled with the traitor Soffice.

While Lisha gritted her teeth on the bed, Krulcifer took a deep breath.

「Unfortunately, those people aren’t that kind. While you were sleeping, what the Lords did──」

The expression of Krulcifer who was always composed was even showing fear.

Lisha who sensed that out of the ordinary atmosphere repressed her rage and asked.

「What in the world happened?」

「They showed a stance of monopoly not in regards to Avalon.」

‘Fuu’, Krulcifer let out a sigh while brushing up her blue hair with uneasiness mixed in her movement.

「Their aim is to purge all the royalties and nobles, that is to say all the present rulers of this world──a reorganization of the very structure of this world.」

「──!?」

Lisha shuddered hearing those unexpected words.

And then Krulcifer calmly continued her story.

The happening in every part of the world that occurred during the few days while Lisha was unconscious.

The scheme of the Lords, their terrifying plan.

Part 2

Seven days ago from Lisha’s awakening.

The New Kingdom Atismata, the royal capital Lordgalia.

Inside the royal castle──the audience hall.

The case of Soffice’s betrayal was settled. The inside of the castle was enveloped with an atmosphere that was slightly relaxed. At that time, an emergency messenger tore apart such atmosphere.

「Pardon me! Your majesty! Strange figures of people are starting puzzling speeches in various places within the country! The result from Drake’s detection ascertained that they are the Abyss called Shadows disguising themselves as human! Those Abyss are only spreading words, so there is no damage at all to the people and Drag-Knights but──」

The content of the information that the Drag-Knight soldier reported caused everyone there, Queen Raffi and the chief vassals of the New Kingdom, to frown.

「The incident that happened until the other day and the war council for capturing Avalon after this caused her majesty to be very busy. You all should be the ones to deal with the trifling matters within the country.」

The prime minister who was still young with an intellectual look, Nulph said that, but the messenger soldier didn’t lift his face.

He continued to talk with trembling voice while keeping his kneeling posture.

「A, as you say but……the number of Abyss making a speech isn’t normal. And, the contents of their speech is also a problem.」

「Problem you say? Just what are they saying? If the citizens are told delusional words from the Abyss, there won’t be any problem no matter what they say.」

「N, no, those Abyss, they are speaking of a terrible matter──」

When the soldier lifted up his pale face, the door was slowly opened and someone entered.

「Who are you!? You are in the presence of the queen──!?」

Prime Minister Nulph raised his voice towards the sudden intruder, but he stopped midway.

The face of the intruder caused him to turn speechless spontaneously.

「You, if I’m not mistaken──!?」

「-……you are!?」

After Nulph, Queen Raffi also held her breath.

The one who appeared in the audience hall was a girl wearing a pure white dress.

No, what was white wasn’t just the dress.

Her skin that was like fresh snow without even a single dot of cloudiness, and radiant silver hair that looked as though powdered snow was scattered on it.

Her mismatched eyes had the color of gray at the left, and faintly blazing scarlet at the right.

That transcendental presence which was out of the human realm affected not just the chief vassals, even Nulph and Raffi were also unable to make any voice.

「How do you do, my name is Listelka Rei Arshalia. The Lords──an imperial family member of the ancient era, a descendant of the Holy Arcadia Empire, the one managing all the Ruins in this world.」

「Wha……!?」

「That is, her highness Listelka……? Why is she here!?」

The chief vassals who heard that looked at each other’s face in shock.

The top of the Lords, Listelka Rei Arshalia. Her existence wasn’t known by the people, but the chief vassals of each country were told of her.

Why did she suddenly appear here and introduced herself?

What was going on? What was she saying?

While such confusion was spreading to everyone there, Prime Minister Nulph returned to his senses.

「Wha, what is the guards doing!? There is an intruder there!」

「I, it’s that! The Abyss that mimicked humans and appeared everywhere to make a speech!」

「What……!?」

The messenger soldier raised his voice at the same time with Nulph’s instruction.

The guards summoned their Drag-Rides and stood in front of the queen.

But, the Abyss didn’t look bothered at all and simply continued its words.

「Originally I planned to give my greeting a little bit quicker, but I also have my own situation. Well, the consuls of the New Kingdom and Queen Raffi seemed to be hiding it, but the Queen cannot be blamed about it. After all it is surely inconvenient for her──the existence of this me, the legitimate ruler of this world.」

「Wha, what is it saying!?」

「Don’t speak as you please, you insolent fellow!」

「It’s pointless. Stop it.」

The chief vassals were making angry voices, but they were stopped by Nulph.

This wasn’t Listelka herself who was currently speaking. The Abyss called Shadow that was mimicking her appearance was only one-sidedly transmitting the speech.

「We are the imperial family of the ancient era who once ruled this world. Whether it is the Old Empire or the New Kingdom, or every other country, they hid our existence and deceived all of you to stand at the top.」

The girl──no, the Abyss mimicking Listelka fluently continued its speech.

A beautiful and striking voice was gently resounding in the audience hall.

「But, we are standing on the front stage once more to act as the ruler of all of you as before. There is no need to fear. It is only the royalties and nobles who we, the Lord are choosing as the target of punishment. We won’t lay our hands on the people who possess no military strength. Thus──」

Inside Listelka’s graceful smile, a shadow was mixed like a drop of poison.

「Those who wish to proclaim themselves as innocent people, please come forward and announce yourself at once. Throw away your Drag-Rides and take distance from the royalties and nobles, shut out and isolate them. We will massacre those who are holding weapons, the people who are continuing to rule with the absolute armed might called Drag-Rides.」

「Wha──!?」

The chief vassals opened their eyes wide altogether and raised a shocked voice.

That was a clear provocation that was just too blatant.

A political declaration to steal power from royalties and nobles and isolated them.

Furthermore Listelka continued to say that at the dawn when the ruling class was purged, she would stop the activities of the Abyss, abolish all taxes and conscription, and granted the people freedom.

「──Ridiculous! This is disgusting!」

「There is no citizen in our country who will swallow this kind of nonsense.」

「Your majesty! Please give your command to exterminate these Abyss within our country!」

The chief vassals who were raging furiously spoke one after another, but Queen Raffi silently shook her head.

「That’s──not possible.」

Queen Raffi spoke with a sorrowful expression.

「At present, we are gathering our forces in the Marcafal Kingdom in order to capture Avalon. In this situation, even if we borrow the strength of the Four Great Nobles, we won’t be able to even maintain the public order of the capital.」

In other words, they couldn’t split their forces to exterminate the Abyss called Shadow that were only making speeches.

They could only endure it at this time, but even then a part of the retainers appealed doggedly.

「While presumptuous allow me to speak! Although it’s just nonsense, if this kind of false rumor is repeated everywhere, everyday, before long it will become an embellished rumor. There is no way we cannot let the foundation of the New Kingdom get taken away! The extermination of the Abyss have to be done as fast as──」

「Didn’t you hear her majesty’s words? She is saying that we cannot do that!」

The prime minister Nulph rebuked loudly. That place fell silent.

Nulph gave instructions to the guards wearing Drag-Rides in regard to Listelka who was starting to repeat the same speech.

After a Drag-Knight pierced the Core with his Blade, the Abyss collapsed without resistance, turned into ash, and crumbled.

「It’s a cheap provocation. Besides, her majesty has the support of the people. There is no need to worry that they will be manipulated by Abyss nonsense.」

「Perhaps, so.」

Raffi nodded at Nulph’s advice and swallowed the sigh that she was about to leak out.

Either way they had no way to interfere with this at present, so she could only think that.

Perhaps a part of the chief vassals had guilty feelings of pointlessly spending tax, because they were eager to regain their honor, but there was no time for such thing.

But, thought Raffi.

If there was still another trap lurking behind that speech which was using the Abyss called Shadow.

If Listelka Rei Arshalia was seriously trying to change the current ruling structure, it might not end with just this.

「……As I thought, perhaps this is too heavy of a burden. Being a replacement for my elder brother the great man, for me it’s──」

Queen Raffi’s monologue wasn’t heard by anyone other than Prime Minister Nulph who was standing at her side. That voice was swallowed into the tumult of the audience hall that was starting to be noisy and vanished.

–

And then, half a day later, an even more terrifying notice came from the Lords.

The capture of the Seven Dragon Paladins by the Lords.

There was a demand for negotiation with them as hostages.

In case the representatives didn’t show up at the Marcafal Kingdom within the next twelve days, the Seven Dragon Paladins would be executed.

Part 3

「Impossible── there was something like that while I was sleeping!?」

Lisha who finished listening to Krulcifer clenched her fist and shook in rage.

Even now Shadows that were mimicking Listelka continued their speeches in various places, and the nobles of the New Kingdom were starting to feel uncomfortable.

Furthermore, because the Shadows also talked about the matter of Sacred Eclipse, the students of the Academy also seemed to be dispirited.

The usual liveliness didn’t exist because of that.

「That means, is there also one in this Cross Field, that Abyss which is representing the Lords?」

「There is but, calm down a little.」

Lisha lost her temper while still in her sleepwear. Besides her, Krulcifer admonished her calmly.

「You think I can calm down like this!? It’s not just about Lux and the others who are captured, the very existence of the New Kingdom itself is in danger!」

「That’s why I’m telling you to calm down. The enemy’s aim is to make the situation unable to be ignored by all means like that.」

「What do you mean……?」

Lisha made a questioning face. The blue haired girl straightened her back in response.

「If you don’t feel anything strange after hearing that the Seven Dragon Paladins were captured, then it seems that you still aren’t in a perfect state. Your brain shouldn’t be that bad you know? The you as a commander that is.」

「Muu……」

Krulcifer’s cool words caused Lisha to think once more.

The abandoned capital of the Marcafal Kingdom, Guernica.

In order to capture Avalon, the elite squads of the world alliance took position there as their base.

The Seven Dragon Paladins there were rounded up by the Lords.

Right after Lux arrived there after receiving a summon, and easily at that.

「Certainly it’s strange……. Lux, those Seven Dragon Paladins bunch, for them to be that easily captured──」

Certainly, Lisha understood that they weren’t almighty against every kind of situation.

Situations where they were taken by surprise before they could wear their Divine Drag-Rides or something, naturally it was possible that they were done in at such special circumstances.

Those people should have countermeasures too so that such things wouldn’t happen, but if the report that they were captured was the truth, then there was no doubt that the Lords had prepared in advance and suppressed the Seven Dragon Paladins.

「Yes, but there is a point that is even more baffling than that. Why didn’t they get rid of the Seven Dragon Paladins? Even though they are the greatest fighting force of the world alliance.」

「……!?」

Lisha was taken aback by what Krulcifer pointed out.

There were several reasons to spare the battle strength that was stolen from the enemy, but in this situation the biggest reason she could think of was──

「Because we are still remaining, is that it……?」

「That possibility is high. The Abyss called Shadow were scattered in an especially larger number inside the New Kingdom. Considering that──」

A lot of Divine Drag-Ride users were gathered in Syvalles of Cross Field in the New Kingdom.

If the Lords used their greatest ace and obtained the cards called the Seven Dragon Paladins, they should want to use that and deal with Lisha and co. too beforehand.

The capture of Avalon that still hadn’t been liberated yet.

In order so that there wouldn’t be the slightest chance that the greatest wish of the Lords would be taken away from them.

「That bunch was advancing the preparation of agitation tactic using Shadows in order to divert our attention and take away our composure──is it okay to consider it like that?」

「In the end it’s only our conjecture though. They might be serious about this reorganization of ruling structure too. But, even if that isn’t the case, if they continue the incitement of the people for too long, they wouldn’t be able to avoid the worsening of impressions towards them. In the little chance that an uprising occurs, they will get stuck with needing to split their forces.」

「In any case, from the enemy’s point of view it is an effective strategy huh.」

To continuously give orders to the Abyss and made them carry out a complex assault, a continuous command from a horn flute was necessary.

But, regarding the Shadows in question, they would only earnestly do repeatedly the command that they had been made to remember, so it didn’t take much effort.

Even if the Lord’s subordinates and collaborators were few in number, it was possible for them to execute this plan.

「Yosh! In that case, our job is one. Staying alert so that those Lord bunch won’t get the jump on us and rescuing Lux──no, all the Seven Dragon Paladins!」

When Lisha clenched her fist tightly, Krulcifer smiled.

「Yes, we had come to such agreement. Celis-senpai and Philuffy have already departed for the Marcafal Kingdom early this morning.」

「──Wait, what did you say!?」

Lisha, who was full of motivation, was dumbfounded after hearing that sentence.

「What’s with that!? Going ahead like that while leaving behind this me who is the Princess of the New Kingdom!」

「It couldn’t be helped. The countdown of twelve days from the Lord’s threat has started, and we will also need time to investigate the enemy. Besides, they had only left for half a day, so if we go now we will be able to link up with them.」

Krulcifer smoothly explained like that.

「If I’m to speak my true feelings, I also wanted Yoruka, who possesses a special equipment type Divine Drag-Ride, Yato no Kami, to accompany us, but her treatment is still not over. At this time we can only ask her to stay in the Academy with the Triad and come along after us later.」

「I see now……」

Lisha took a deep breath several times and repressed her impatient feeling.

It seemed that was the best they could do in this current situation.

She had the wish to save Lux even for a second faster, but she mustn’t be too hurried and blundered.

The New Kingdom’s──no, the world’s fate was in the hands of Lisha and the others after all.

「Then let’s go Krulcifer! We’ll depart from the Academy three hours later! Finish your preparations until then!」

「I can go anytime. After all it’s not just you who is reining in the feeling of wanting to go save him right away.」

Krulcifer responded to Lisha’s voice and concluded the talk.

Right at that timing, the door was knocked and Tillfur’s voice came.

「’Sup. How is Lisha-sama doing?」

Lisha asked the Triad who came for a visit to bring her pilot suit here, then she took off her sleepwear in a flash and began to change.

「Good grief. Even though the Princess finally woke up, there isn’t any time to give thanks for the battle the other day huh.」

The oldest person there, Sharis made a smile that looked somewhat troubled.

「Yes. But, it also can be said that it’s just like Lisha-sama.」

Noct said with her usual calm tone and expression.

「We will leave the rest to all of you. When Yoruka wakes up, we will also come to back you guys!」

Tillfur showed a bright smile to encourage them.

Lisha made a light arrangement with the Triad to send a letter to Queen Raffi, then she got carried by Krulcifer’s Fafnir and departed to the Marcafal Kingdom.

After seeing them off from the Academy’s courtyard, the Triad looked at each other’s faces.

「They are gone……」

Noct muttered while looking up at the sky with a lonely gaze.

It was also the same at the incident of attack by Hayes and Dragon Marauder previously, but as expected they were left in the dust by those girls when it was crucial.

They weren’t displeased by that.

Sharis, whose father was the deputy commander of the New Kingdom’s military, naturally knew that the logistics wouldn’t hold with just the powerful soldiers, and Tillfur and Noct also knew that.

But, that was that. They still had feelings of vexation within them.

They had no time to inform Lisha, but they had finally become able to use their new strength, that she had granted them, well.

「We will also rush there……is it, will our strength be useful against opponents that easily captured the Seven Dragon Paladins?」

「What what, Sharis is getting cold feet? Isn’t it too late already to be bothered about that kinda thing now?」

「Yes. Tillfur who said that seems to be trembling as well though?」

「Wai-, that’s not true! This is just because of the cold I’m telling you!」

「Ha-ha-ha. Say that it’s trembling from excitement even if you’ve to lie. That excuse is uncool, you know?」

Sharis who was watching the conversation of Tillfur and Noct smiled.

Even if they piled up effort trying to catch up, their difference with those girls only got wider.

Even so they weren’t just being bothered by a sense of inferiority.

The three of them believed that there would be a time when their strength was going to be necessary.

That was why they suppressed their impatience and silently waited for Yoruka to wake up.

In order to head together with her to rescue Lux.

Part 4

Around that time when Lisha and Krulcifer departed from the New Kingdom.

In the Marcafal Kingdom, at the abandoned capital Guernica.

The sky above the ruin that was colored dull grey.

In the battlefield between the fortress where the world alliance took position and the old castle, the Abyss and Drag-Knights were flying around.

The shooting sound of Cannon, the sound of a sword fight of Blade, and the sound of air shaking from Howling Howl were resounding intermittently.

The Heaven Palace that was floating in the sky above──the chalk white airborne ship that was a legacy of the ancient era just like the Ruins was looking down on the battlefield with the Lords inside.

Inside the control room of the ship was the Holy Arcadia Empire’s first imperial princess, Listelka Rei Arshalia.

The shrine maiden of oracle who was able to hold correspondence with Avalon and made use of a portion of its power.

Her skin, hair, dress, everything was pure white. She was a girl with beauty that was outside the human realm.

In addition, there was the loyal maid with blue hair, the XferKey’s Supervisor, Mishis V Xfer.

And then, someone was kneeling in front of Listelka. Fugil Arcadia.

He was once the first imperial prince of the Arcadia Empire, an elder brother of Lux.

「We are having more trouble than I thought. I learned that an army will collapse as long as their head is taken away is the established theory of the battlefield though──?」

Listelka sent a glance at Fugil and smiled wryly.

For Listelka and the others, the Lords, the Seven Dragon Paladins and the elite force taking position in front of the old castle were a nuisance.

In order to reach Avalon, the cooperation of the world alliance was necessary.

In order to slip through the threat of Sacred Eclipse, conquer the Ruins, and defeat all the remaining Ragnarok, the Lords had no choice but to borrow their strength.

But──setting that aside, the Lords didn’t have any intention to share the ancient legacies and technologies of Avalon with them from the start.

For Listelka, the Lord was the sole absolute ruler.

Although few in number, there were also relatives of the Lords sleeping inside hibernation pods, waiting to be awakened.

Due to that, it was impossible that she who was a pure imperial family member would humor the world alliance and share authority with them.

They who suffered damage from the family of traitors, decreased in number, and had their ruling position threatened wouldn’t possibly yield the chance to reign over the world once more.

Thus, she sent her little sister──Aeril to infiltrate the enemy alliance as a spy, tricking the Seven Dragon Paladins and captured them.

In addition she would purge the royalties and nobles all over the world, and take away the power of the other rulers.

She formed the strategy for that until now and then executed it in a flash.

Until now it was just as Listelka planned, but after that there was a problem.

「The proficiency of their subordinates is higher than expected.」

Listelka muttered. The maid Mishis responded to that.

「The alliance’s elite force that were placed there in order to conquer Avalon shouldn’t have solid unity, but not even the slightest unrest can be seen from them. It seems that the aide of Captain Magialca, Lolotte is taking command of the whole army, while the aide of Sir Singlen, Zweigbergk is leading the troops.」

Even though Magialca and Signlen fell into the hands of the Lords, the left behind alliance army didn’t fall into disorder was largely thanks to their achievements.

「Even though their master was taken away, there is no one who lacks composure. That is unexpected. Most likely they were given instructions beforehand even in the case that their master was killed.」

Singlen and Magialca had trained their confidants beforehand like that.

「I didn’t intend to underestimate them but, they are quite able for mere humans, aren’t they?」

She planned to ambush the remaining panicked force with the Abyss and trap them when they charged in confusion, but after they took back the fortress that was their base, they calmly began to march towards the old castle in composure.

If the powerful people of the New Kingdom were able to link up with them at this rate, it might become dangerous.

The main part of Avalon existed underground the old castle at the abandoned capital Guernica.

It was mainly divided between the surface castle as the exterior and the deep level floor inside. The center was hidden in the deep level floor.

It was possible to control the functions to a certain degree with Listelka’s ability at the surface level floor, but for the deep level floor, Listelka had to head there by herself.

Thus──at this rate their capture of Avalon might be hindered.

「……Fugil, will you tell me your opinion? I wish to listen to the advice of my hero. The capture of Avalon will still take a long time.」

「…………」

Fugil turned his face towards his master when he was addressed directly.

His expression was sporting a calm smile.

Mishis couldn’t read his emotion from that.

「The Empire’s Assassin Blade──the Drag-Knight Kirihime Yoruka came from the nation of Koto. Is your highness aware of that?」

「I have heard about it, but what about her?」

When Fugil started talking with a calm tone, Listelka tilted her head in puzzlement.

「It seems that instead of the board game called chess, there was something similar called shougi in the nation of Koto. There is one difference that is the most striking from chess──it’s how it can reuse the pieces other than king.」

「What relation does it have with this battle situation?」

The maid Mishis cut in with her usual calm expression.

Then as though waiting for that, Fugil took out a chess piece──a pawn from his breast pocket and put it on the room’s table.

「It means just as it is. I’m talking about using the pieces we stole, Mishis.」

「I see, so there is that way.」

Listelka clapped her hands lightly and showed a graceful smile.

But, in contrast Mishis made a dubious face.

「You are planning to make use of the captured Seven Dragon Paladins? There is a way, but it’s dangerous. In the worst case that their restrains will slip off……」

「It will be fine Mishis. Well then, let’s begin negotiations with them. Before Hayes kills them──」

Listelka entered a good mood from Fugil’s advice and she began the preparation for making contact.

Even Mishis was unable to interrupt any further than this.

「Then, let’s ask her right away. To my loyal little sister──」

The second imperial princess of the Lords who disguised herself as a royalty of the Vanheim Principality called Coral, Aeril Vi Arcadia, and the third imperial princess Hayes Vi Arcadia.

Listelka sent communication to the first floor of the old castle, where the two of them were at.

–

Just a few dozen minutes ago, before the Lords started taking action, Lux was waking up inside a prison.

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