Vol 1 Chapter 6 (2/2)

Though few, club activities also existed and there were also students ere active on holiday

But, it was in the waiting rooht by Lisha went to

It was a slightly wide roo in order to equip with Machine Dragon, and for discussing tactics

Several dozens of students wearing Dress Gears aiting for Lux there

Of course, there was no man other than Lux

There were students whonized, Krulcifer and Philphie

And Sharis, Tillfarr and Nokuto of the Triad

As the students gathered regardless of class and grade, more than half of them were unfamiliar faces

“Do you really intend to let hiht Squadron”, Lisha-sama?”

A tall female student whom Lux didn't even know the name of, said so as she looked at him

“That goes without saying He will show his ability fro-Ride after all”

“Errr –– what are you guys talking about?”

As Lux cocked his head in puzzle about,

“Princess Lizsharte would like to recouerrilla unit which can also use Drag-Rides, other than during practical skill exercises while being an officer cadet That’s the special unit “Knight Squadron””

The third-year student Sharis said with a refreshi+ng smile

As he heard the explanation in detail, it was apparently so like this

In the current New Kingdohts who could perform in actual combat

Moreover, this place was the Fort City which could be called the bastion (defensive position) of the capital

Therefore, not letting young students with outstanding talent and ability fight in accordance with the rules was pearls thrown before swine

Thereupon, a guerrilla unit –– the “Knight Squadron” which holds special battle per composed of officer cadets was established, and they delved into long day and night fighting techniques

If one belonged to the “Knight Squadron”, he could get a reward by asse missions from the army

Thus, even in the perspective of Lux’s “chores”, it would be a very useful place, but––

“But you know, the “Knight Squadron” isn’t some kind of place where anyone ants to join can join”

As Sharis’ explanation ended, a girl whom he was not familiar with muttered so

“You h evaluation with the results of the caht should be more than the intermediate level And, the ht Squadron” should acknowledge your ability and vote for the approval of you joining”

These three things see

“Uo, and my practical skills are also––”

“Unfortunately, it see the “Weakest Undefeated” though”

As the female student who seemed calm said so with a wry smile,

“I don’t mind”

Lisha cut off the flow, full of confidence

“The first two conditions are just a given Most of the students who are here should already know Lux’s ability After all, he had a draw in a one-to-one fight against ainst the Abyss all alone”

“Well, it’s true, but…”

Overwhelirl faltered

“But, now the third-year ht Squadron” aren’t there We can’t decide about it at such a time…”

A sirl’s case, but

“The whole majority is properly here Even if all those who aren’t here vote ‘no’, it won’t ht?”

In the end, Lisha settled the talk

“Why aren’t the third-year students here?”

As Lux asked Sharis as beside him in low voice,

“Well, currently the third-year students went to the capital for practice for about teeks Due to soo this time”

“Then, won’t it better to decide after the third year members come back?”

“Well –– I think that it’s just the opposite”

Suddenly, Krulcifer who kept silent until now reacted to Lux’s question

“The Princess believes that precisely now is the best tiht Squadron is quite the man-hater after all––”

“Eh…?”

“Third-year student, Celestia Ralgris An influential person who is the daughter of a Duke House and is said to be the strongest of the academy She’s also popular and a lot of students admired her too If that person was presently in the acade a man attend the academy would have been revoked”

“…………”

In other words, using the chance when thatleader is absent, Lisha wanted to rush the matter into a fait accompli[1]

“Krulcifer, don’t talk nonsense I only do what I should do as the New Kingdom Princess”

Lisha who heard the talk cheekily rebutted

“The Abyss's sudden attack without warning the other day Although it didn’t lead to serious consequences, the cause is still unknown, so it’s under investigation Ensuring (or securing) an iment Especially all the more since the majority of third-year students are absent now”

She says soood

Lux admired inwardly

He had thought that she was unlike a Princess, but unexpectedly, she also seemed to have political ability

“But as expected, even I won't think of letting hih any procedure”

Before a rebuttal ca room looked around everyone

“We will hold a Machine Dragon confrontation battle in teams from here on And with the battle outcome, we should decide whether or not to allow Lux to join”

She said so and quickly began to choose the opponents

“…………”

(She conored my opinion, huh…)

Lux really wanted to say so a little bit, but…

“Lux If you do ht Squadron, you’ll also get rewards It will help you pay off your debt! You should just gladly work like a horse!”

As he saw Lisha s, he felt that it would be useless even if he refused

As Lux as at a loose end watched around the waiting room,

“I ht Squadron”?”

As Lux who caught sight of his childhood friend in the corner asked,

“…………”

Philphie who gnawed snack biscuits did not react

“Errr, Philphie…?”

As he thought that she didn't and called out to her again,

“…It’s Phi-chan, right?”

In a slightly emphasized tone, Philphie muttered

“Eh…!? D-Do you want me call you that even here …!?”

“Yes”

Philphie nodding with a serious look, Lux’s face turned red

If it weren’t for this, she would really be a good girl, but––

But that aside, it was unexpected

The last tio; in the Old Empire's society before the coup d’état, wo-Rides

Therefore, Lux had no -Ride

But, to think that this girl with a gentle atht Squadron” ––

“Phi…chan, are you strong?”

“Ordinary, I guess”

As he aardly called her by her nickname, a simple answer came back

But upon close inspection, not a Sword Device of a general-purpose Machine Dragon, but a short sword decorated with a unique design was in the scabbard hung on her waist

“She’s very strong, this girl She is the user of the Divine Drag-Ride <typhon> after all Together with my <fafnir>”

“Eeeh…!?”

As Krulcifer added, Lux unintentionally opened his mouth

To think that Philphie possessed enough skill to be able to use a Divine Drag-Ride which even first-class Drag-Knights couldn't handle so often

And also Krulcifer

Even if they were called “Knight Squadron”, they were still officer cadets after all

It looked like his preconception was greatly wrong

Even excluding the third-year -Rides, it was a military poorthy of threat

Which iven were more likely to be suitable as such

Froerous missions

(…What shall I do?)

『For that, I hope that you didn’t forget the other purpose, Nii-san』

He recalled the words said by Airi early in thebreakfast

Before attracting a curious attention, he started thinking to decline joining the unit

He was thankful that a hefty reas given, but if he got involved in too deeply, it would be likely to affect the “other purpose”

“Hey, Lux I settle the talk”

While he was thinking about such a thing, his shoulder was patted by Lisha

“You and I will teao to the coe into a Dress Gear”

“…………”

It looked like it was already too late

“What? Youif you want, you know?”

“I am not worried about that!”

As Lux’s face turned red as he panicked to Lisha’s teasing,

“You peep, but you don’t want to be seen yourself, huh”

Even Krulcifer as in the corner muttered in a subdued voice, and Lux was at wits’ end

“I’ll go change!”

Lux hurried up and changed into the Dress Gear he was given and came out of the compartment

“So––, I understand that Lisha-sama and I will team up, but how many people are there in the opponent team?”

“Yes It seems to be all the members here that met with Lux-san for the first time”

“Eeeeeeeeeh!?”

In other words, all the irls of the Triad

“Wait, isn’t it reckless no matter how you look at it…?”

Lisha was strong

Even cohts that Lux had confronted so far, she was probably the most powerful

But it should also be the saht Squadron’s members present here

“It’s all right According to h If it’s not enough, well let’s see, it’s not too late to change your Machine Dragon to attack specialization even now––”

“…I’ll do my best as it is”

“Is that so? I’ll fight with the <chimeric wyvern=””>, but–– well it’s fine We’re outnumbered anyway Once it starts, even you’ll have no choice but to fight”

To Lisha’s words which sohed

Both parties finished their preparations and went out to the practice field

And the an

Part 6

“What the hell, geez!”

Immediately after the team confrontation battle which ended in no time

Lisha who returned to the waiting roo like a spoiled child

Most of the “Knight Squadron” ed and left the room, only Lux, Lisha and several acquaintances remained in the room

“Please, cheer up already We’ve won after all”

As Lux calmed her so with a troubled face,

“Why didn’t you attack even once!? I should have also got on the opponent team! You wasted a rare chance! You fool!”

Lisha raised her voice with somewhat teary eyes

The teaht Squadron”

Overturning the overwhelainst ten, Lux and Lisha had won

By the way, it was Lisha who defeated all the opponents’ Machine Dragons

While Lux was dodging and defending against the enemy’s attacks, the battle ended

Although they won as a result, Lux’s joining was rejected by the majority vote, and Lisha was furious

The reason that he was not able to earn an affirmative vote was because Lux had not attacked even once

Though he felt bad for Lisha, Lux was inwardly relieved

“Was y a failure? Or…, was there a problem with the opponent team formation…? But, by my initial expectations…”

While grue her clothes on the other side of the compartment

(It will be bad if I go back without perht…?)

When Lux who had finished changing from the Dress Gear into his unifor roo

“Good work, Lu-chan”

Philphie as sitting in the opposite side suddenly called out to him

The vote ended; his childhood friend who had finished changing into her unifor room, peeled a fruit and ate it

Or it was supposed to be like this, but––

“…Uh huh Thank you–– Wait, what is this?”

“Orange”

A brief answer cae

She pinched the fresh fruit flesh where the white pith was reertips, and held it out in front of Lux

“No, I understood by seeing, but…”

“I help you ree’s white peel”

Such words were said with an indifferent tone

Lux brooded over theirfor just several seconds,

“Eh? Is it, by any chance –– what I think it is!?”

Suddenly, his cheeks became hot

Lux remembered that when they were children, Philphie used to peel the pelt of the orange which he was not able to eat as he disliked that part (pelt)

“T-Thank you, Phi-chan B-But, I’m not a kid anymore, so I can’t do that much alone…”

When he answered so as he was a little embarrassed,

“…You don’t want?”

Philphie intently turned her pupils and looked into Lux’s face

It was a somewhat dejected and lonely tone

“T-That isn’t it––”

“Then, eat”

When he was at loss, Philphie softly pushed the orange's flesh to Lux’s lips

Seeing that he received it with his htly smiled

“Is it delicious?”

“Y-Yes…”

“I’lad”

(…Rather, it’s so e that I can’t taste it…!)

Looking at Philphie as somewhere happy, Lux was bewildered,

“It’s all good that you’re so close, but I think you should watch your surroundings a little more”

“…!? N-No, this is––”

Teased by Krulcifer as in a corner of the room, Lux became flustered

When he turned his eyes around as he wondered whether they were seen by others,

“…Hh I’m unusually troubled, to think that you flirt with another woman before my eyes I’m envious, Lux”

Lisha who had finished changing and came out muttered as she was amazed

“However…, I see There was that way (hand), huh…”

And walking at a quick pace, she ca

(It’s bad I’ll be scolded––)

As Lux closed his eyes thinking so

So was slapped on the table before him

“Huh…?”

What was put on the table was a sheet of paper –– a request for a job

“W-Which reminds me after this, you shouldn’t have undertaken any job requests in particular, right?”

Lisha who sharpened her lips leaned her face immediately to Lux’s

When he was sure that she was angry, her cheeks somewhat turned red and she averted her eyes from Lux

“Eh, well… yes”

…I wonder what the matter is

When Lux replied as he wondered so, Lisha quickly took a breath and stuck out her chest

“T-Then, it’s an additional request Um––, come with me now”

Part 7

Cross-shaped Fort City, Cross Feed

Froht, the people’s bustle and hustle had not stopped in this first block which was located in the center

Probably because of the early spring, the evening sunlight was still strong

Lux and Lisha alking on the main street of maintained stone pavements with a lot of pedestrian traffic

(She asked , huh… I was surprised)

『U-Um…, I think that in order to form a partnershi+p, it’s important to know each other well After all, I still don’t know e…』

The reason why Lisha invited Lux to go out see like that

(But, I’e, only the two of us is––)

When looking to the side as he thought so, Lisha as also so at the cityscape

『Ohout with the Princess; not bad, Lux-kun』

He reo prepare himself, he was told so by Principal Relie who happened to pass by in the neighborhood

『Sohting and research has no immunity in the love area If she was suddenly pushed into a boy she likes, she ht easily fall, you know?』

『No, I don’t think it can be so like that…』

At that time, Lux denied it with an indescribable expression, but––

“Coo out into town?”

“N-No…, not at all”

To Lux’s question, Lisha firmly shook her head

“These days, I was alorking in the atelier after all I was busy with the Drag-Ride's re”

While looking around curiously, Lisha turned a fleeting glance at Lux,

“Uirls––”

She asked so in an irritated tone

“N-No I also have a debt to pay off, so I've no time for that”

“I-I see”

As Lux denied, Lisha smiled as she was relieved,

“All right Then, since it's the first time for both of us, I shall escort you! If I'ood restaurant in this urban area No, wait”

When she suddenly stoppedso) and made a bitter expression

“What's wrong?”

“U-Uh huh Well, it'll be all right, I guess I'm a Princess, so I should be able to ask for a credit”

“By any chance did you forget your wallet?”

“Ugh Um, it was just accidentally today”

To Lisha who looked doard as she was embarrassed, Lux smiled wryly

Seeing her all flustered, he felt somewhat relaxed

I guess she isn't really used to going out

Then––, within the range possible in irl to enjoy herself

Lux thought so

“It's not good The New Kingdom Princess shouldn't easily ask for credit”

“T-Then, what? Are you already saying to call it a day?”

Looking at the somehow lonely Lisha, Lux kindly smiled

“If you don't mind me, I will offer you hospitality”

After a few minutes Lux and Lisha sat side by side at the curb of the central open space and were looking at the sunset

The apple pie which he gave to Lisha was so reputed to be the most delicious even in the stands of the Fort City, and it was a shop where Lux once worked at for odds jobs

“How is it? Lisha-sama”

“Hmm it's sweet and delicious Thank you”

While biting the apple pie froaze to Lux's face

Lux did not have thatat Lux as accoave them to him for free

In the end, giving his thanks together with Lisha, he decided to gratefully accept them, but––

“However, being well known even to the stalls, you are appreciated by the people of this city, eh”

“My face is just known due to working odd jobs”

To that mutter of admiration, Lux replied with a wry smile

“B-But, it's strange Even though I planned to make you appreciate me, but like this, instead I'm––”

To Lisha who muttered in a low voice; Lux cocked his head in puzzlement,

“What's the matter?”

“N-No, how to put it –– this area is glug-glug since some time now!”

Looking at Lisha whose cheeks reddened, and that set a hand on her chest,

(I wonder if she's nervous after co time)

Lux thought so

“Are you all right? If you aren't feeling well, we should rest somewhere”

“I-I'ht If I sit for a little bit, I think I'll be fine”

“I haven't that ood and free , please tell me immediately”

“Ah, yes”

After giving a vague ansith a flushi+ng expression, Lisha entrusted her body to Lux for a while

“S-Speaking of which –– do irls like your childhood friend?”

“Yes?”

To the words suddenly released by Lisha, Lux looked puzzled

“I don't really understand I haven't thought that ether with someone else But––”

Whilewith upturned eyes, Lisha timidly held out an apple pie to Lux

“Errr––”

“Hey, can you taste this for poison?”

“You've already started eating it though?”

“D-Don't worry about trivial things!? Just do it!”

No, I think it's pretty ih

Sing such a retort, Lux bit the pie which was held out

“Ah”

The crunchy pie crust and the sweet fragrance of the apple spread in his mouth

“T-There is no poison Now, can you rest assured?”

As Lux s at him with feverish eyes––

“Uh, auh Fuuh”

After her face became red to the extent that it could be clearly seen even in the evening, her body lost all its strength there

“Hey!? What's the matter? Lisha-sama!”

As Lux hurriedly caught Lisha as about to fall,

“Hiyan!?”

munyu A soft sensation was transmitted to Lux's palm

Her chest that was being rubbed, although of a petite built, firmly asserted its size; Lisha’s thin body shook in Lux's arms as she was startled

(shi+t! she'll get mad!)

Although he held her on the spur of the

(But, it was very soft, huh Lisha-sa!?)

“Ah, um –– I-I'm sorry!”

As Lux who changed the position of his hand apologized while being confused,

“W-Well, I will forgive But, more importantly––”

Lisha said so and tightly grabbed the collar of her uniform,

“I-I don't really knohy, but since some time now, my chest is hot and I feel dizzy”

While exhaling a feverish breath, she muttered as such

“W-What's wrong? U you to the nearby house for free treatment––”

“I-I'et better after a short time, I think, probably”

Lux anxiously supported Lisha for a while, but after a fewand returned to her usual condition

The curfew ti, so they decided to return to the acadean to walk slowly

Lux was also surprised by Lisha's sudden request this time, but

“T-Today, um it was quite fun Thank you, Lux”

With just such a sentence from Lisha, he felt like he had been rewarded

Part 8

“Speaking of which, I' able to join”

Severalhis way back on the deserted street,

“Don't worry about it I can do the joining recommendation in the next month after 5 more days later after all Froin with the coordination training at once”

Lisha replied so with a smile on her whole face

“Do you still intend to get ht Squadron”!?”

“Well, as for the strategy You plunge right in the middle of the enemy camp, and I bloay the opponents who have their attention attracted to you one after another Afterward, while I defend you, you can at least defeat one machine”

“Isn't it a little too cruel? In various s”

Unintentionally, it was tactic which brought a cold sweat to the spine

Judging from Lisha's tone, probably she was serious

“More importantly, about Lisha-sa, eh”

“H it, but if you want, I could specially make another one for you”

“Can you make many machines like that?”

“Even if I er than a general-purpose Machine Dragon, but the burden of stamina aside, the operation difficulty isn't on the sa-Ride Even the Sword Devices' dual wielding can't be used by anyone other than me Do you want to try it?”

“No, thank you”

Honestly, Lux also thought that it was impossible

The conception of coons perfor, but it could probably not be ineer and also a first-class Drag-Knight

“How about so it in a way that it will be easier to use? To the extent that even only the students of the ”Knight Squadron” are able to use it As a Princess––”

Words came out naturally so

There were not words in order to go along with the talk, he truly thought so

Heall the time inwardly

The rule of the e time

And precisely because they were released froood Princess

He wanted her to be a Princess who thinks about the people and considered others' feelings

Such a desire of Lux ht have unintentionally been voiced out

“As a Princess?”

“Y-Yes As the New Kingdom Princess, you will be more useful to the people like that––”

However,

“I don't need it”

Lux shi+vered to the coldness of the voice which came back

With neither anger, sorrow nor even apathy A hollow voice which lost all colors

For just several seconds, the surrounding atmosphere froze

“Phew I'on developet tired whenever I's such as 'you should be proud as a Princess' or 'it's a great achievement'”

“What, do you mean?”

“Before that, answer my question What is a Princess?”

A concise question of only a feords

But, Lux was not able to return an answer to it

“My father, Count Atismata who raised a coup d’&e

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