Vol 2 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Episode 1 – Engagehter of the North

Part 1

“Haa… Really Nii-san, what on earth are you thinking about?”

In a voice h

The girl, Lux’s little sister, who had a doll-like beauty, was staring at Lux with reproachful eyes as she stood up before him as for some reason kneeled on the floor

“I told you ht? Because of you, just noas tormented by my classmates as they asked me “did your brother find a lover!?”…”

“Yes I understand your feelings, Airi But, please let’s leave it as that”

Nokuto, Airi’s rooirl as also one of the three members of the academy famous trio called the “Triad”

Being soothed by her, Airi finally muttered “I think you’ve already reflected on this, Nii-san”

“I’m really sorry…”

Saying so, Lux stood up with a tired face

Here was the site of the Royal Military Acadeirl dormitory’s room

Lux, who finished eating dinner after the end of the “Lux contest”, had been called by his little sister Airi in order to handle a certain request of the academy

Since he was told that it was an important request, he hurriedly went to Airi’s and Nokuto’s roo him was his little sister’s sermon

“In the first place, why didn’t you come directly to my place? If you did so, ould have settled it between us siblings, and it wouldn’t have become such uproar”

Airi see brother who did not seek her help

There seeirl’s dormitory, so it was certainly a blunder that the choice of escaping to Airi’s room did not occurred to him, but––[1]

(If by any chance I was also caught by Airi, it was likely to become troublesome, so…)

If he was to say so, he would have been scolded by “are you going to doubt a blood relative?”, so he said nothing

“However, personally, I was surprised I thought that Krulcifer-san asking Lux-san out was unlikely, considering her character”

Nokuto calmly spoke of her impression

But, the shoulders of Airi who heard it suddenly shook

“So Nii-san, what kind of happy ti to spend with her from now on?”

“E-Errr–– basically, it won’t be different frouess?”

While treentle smile of Airi, Lux said so with a perfunctory look

To the request of Krulcifer on the “Lux contest”, the agree her lover” for about one as established

However, the content was very vague, so except listening to her request preferentially, he should be able to spend his life as usual

When Lux finished explaining so to the two girls,

“He after all”

“N-No, it isn’t really me who asks Krulcifer-san this time!”

To Airi who turned away her gaze as she pouted, Lux explained confusedly

“Yes I cannot surmise Krulcifer-san’s real intention, but I think it can’t be helped”

“Is that so?”

Looking at Airi who raised her face to Nokuto’s follow up, Lux was relieved for an instant

“Yes Be that as it ressiveness though”

“Hey!? Even though it was about to be settled with ain!?”

‘‘As expected even this Nokuto girl is a very difficult child to deal with’‘

As Lux was once again troubled, Airi lightly cleared her throat and stood up

“About that, I will have you tell o to the place of the request”

“Ah…, t-that’s right”

Relieved about the fact that this talk was over for the ti, Lux left the room

“I heard that it’s a request at the school site; but it’s night, so be careful”

Nokuto said so and saw off Lux and Airi

When he was outside of the girl’s dorhborhood was already covered with a jet black curtain

“It is good and all that you enjoy your school life, but please do not forget About our “plan”––”

As they were now both alone, Airi said so as she remembered

“Ah…, yes I know”

He intended to consult her a little about so, but in the end, he hesitated to talk about it

“Phew…”

While walking along the laithin the acadehed softly

It was about Krulcifer that he was troubled

(––What may I do to behave like her lover?)

‘‘I one out with anyone…’‘

The “true request” which was told by Krulcifer after that lover declaration

Lux hung his head as he was troubled by that request which was on a whole other level from the odd jobs he had done so far

Part 2

“––I want you to act as my lover”

About tenroom

Lux as called to the deserted rooftop of the acade about the details from Krulcifer

“Pretend to be Krulcifer-san’s lover…?”

“Yes, that’s right I want you to play that role for one week starting today”

“B-But, why should I do such a thing––”

As Lux was perplexed at Krulcifer who said so indifferently, she explained the situation in detail

Krulcifer was an Earl’s daughter of the large country of the North –– the religious country Yn student in the academy

One of the reasons why she cadooal to achieve

“In short, a political e of convenience”

『During attendance at school, conclude an engageet married』

Such instructions had been given to Krulcifer by the Einvolk House which was her home

Making connections with an influential person holding a strong position in the New Kingdom

She was enrolled in this acadeht, but also with such an intention since the beginning

“That’s–– Such a thing is…”

‘‘Isn’t it too selfish?’‘

‘‘No ious noble faround and burden her with such a duty…’‘

As Lux unintentionally started to say so,

“As usual, you say so unlike a Prince of the Old Empire”

Seeing Lux’s expression which showed that he did not consent, Krulcifer chuckled

“Marriages between nobles are 90 like that It’s no use even if you mind it”

She asserted in a curt tone

“…………”

About that, Krulcifer was right

A ardless of nationality

Lux who had been in the Imperial Court as a Prince of the Old Empire before, understood it only too well

‘‘But still, it’s strange’‘

“But then, why do you want me to pretend to be your lover?”

“To put it plainly, I want to avoid trouble to the lioal––”

“Personal goal…?”

Not answering Lux’s question, Krulcifer continued

“Several days later, it’s scheduled that a er will be dispatched to this Fort City by the Einvolk House which is agement––”

In short, it seeer co over

A e as well and also had a connection with Krulcifer

Lux seemed to have been chosen based on the above conditions

“Therefore, I will have you behave as ht?”

“B-But, I –– uone out with anyone…”

“Oh my? Actually, I don’t have any experience, either”

“I-I don’t mean that––”

As Lux was flustered,

“Besides, it can’t also be just with anyone, right? You have seen my shameful side––”

Slightly blushi+ng, Krulcifer softly smiled

“…!?”

Suddenly recalling her figure in underwear in the waiting room, Lux’s face became red

“If you say that you won’t take responsibility no ”

She whispered so with a mischievous tone

At her tone of voice which tickled his earlobe, Lux gave up immediately

“U-Um…, if you’re fine with me, I’ll do my best”

“Thank you I like that honest side of yours”

To Lux who hung his head, Krulcifer replied with a smile

“I will be troubled if the fake lover thing was leaked to someone, so until this week passes, ill keep this matter secret Can you promise that?”

“U-Understood”

“Good answer Then –– from today on, you are my lover Please take of me, Lux-kun”

“…Yes”

To Krulcifer’s smile, Lux returned an aard smile

Thus, the agreement was established

Part 3

The library in the acade

Though he had several times used it because of the academy’s lessons, this was the first tiht

“Over there, Nii-san”

Since the front door was already closed, he entered fro Airi’s lead

The space where high, innumerable bookshelves stood in a row and the old-fashi+on which let one feel history so back to an ancient labyrinth

He had the experience of being a librarian due to odd jobs in the past, so there was no resistance in particular about this atmosphere itself, but––

“Is there really a request here?”

A question concerning the request of the deserted library floated in Lux’s mind

“Yes, there’s no mistake It’s a little bit ahead”

They went through a passage between bookshelves and arrived at a door at the end

Then, she opened the door with a key different from that she used to open the back entrance

When they went down the stairs leading to the underground, there was a large stone space there

“This place is…? Is there such a place in the underground of the library?”

A place which he didn’t even know the existence of let alone entered due to odd jobs

Over there, not only bookshelves, but also an iron work unit, a furnace for sublimation as well as countless experimental devices lined up

At the same time, there was also the smell of acrid chemicals

“Please, keep this place’s existence secret, Nii-san It’s also a small laboratory after all”

“Laboratory?”

Though Lux asked back, he thought that it really gave such an impression

The Drag-Knight’s atelier where Lisha acted as the chief

If Lisha’s atelier had a structure somewhere reminiscent to a blacksmith’s, this place seemed just like an atelier of an alchemist

As he followed Airi while holding such an impression,

“I aiting for both of you”

Principal Relie Aingram was in front of a small table

“Good evening, Lux-kun Do you properly look after Philphie? Or –– have you already attacked[2] her?”

“Really, you…”

Lux replied with an indescribable expression

By Relie’s arrange even now in the sairl’s dormitory

As Lux blushed when recalling it––,

“Principal Why don’t you leave your teasing of Nii-san for another tiin the talk?”

cough, deliberately clearing her throat once, Airi said so

“Well, that’s also right Then, I will ask you not to speak about what I’m about to tell you from here on”

When Relie said so, she placed a small metal box on the table and inserted a key in the lock

“It’s fairly secure, eh”

“Yes”

As Relie opened the box while nodding back, it could be seen

“Don’t tell this is––”

What was inside the box was a strange-shaped golden flute

“Yes, it’s the thing which the forht Squadron Chief Velvet, who attacked this city teeks ago, held”

This flute possessed the power to summon and control the mythical beasts –– Abysses which appeared from the ruins

Lux and the “Knight Squadron” witnessed it and fought with them just the other day

“By the way, I reported it to the top brass, but I was told by Her Majesty Queen Raffi to have you study it while advancing the analysis here as this place is closer to the ruins”

“…………”

“It seen merchant He says that it’s called “horn” Do you know anything about this, Lux-kun?”

“No It’s also the first time for me to see it up close like this But––”

His older brother Fugil of the Old Empire that Lux was after

Judging froil had said, there was no doubt about the fact that this horn was an important treasure related to the ruins

“That Velvet didn’t see else, but I think that it’s necessary to analyze this iteation of the ruins”

Airi added so while opening a thick book –– a docuation of ruins

“Then, why having shown this to me––”

“Because I will have you hold onto this”

Relie cal the horn

“Eh…?”

“I haven’t told everyone yet, but –– these past several days, there is a little movement on the continent So, I will have you, and ation of the ruins before long”

“…………”

More than ten years ago –– the ruins brought Drag-Rides and a nuies into the world

In that place which was protected by the existence called Abyss,

“Even including the ruins of the Atisdom territory, it’s the present situation is that huotten until the second layer in the ruins, but it is written that to reach the third layer, an existence called “key” is necessary”

Airi spoke so with the thick ancient document at hand

It was known that each country’s civil officials had already explained the existence of a “key” in itself, but its true nature has not been established even now

“Perhaps –– this horn is the key to enter into the depths of the ruins Or, itto defend ourselves fro like that, that also includes the investigation Therefore, I intend to entrust you with this, Nii-san”

Lux noticed the intention of Airi who included an implication

She il

“…I understand”

While engraving her words into his heart, Lux received the horn

“By the way, Principal”

“Oh, it’s fine if you call me Relie at such times Otherwise, I don’t mind even if you call me sister-in-law––”

Sly said so, Lux asked what had been bothering him

“Relie-san I’ranted peration”

“Don’t worry about it I will give only you a special per after all There is also the achieve saved Lisha-saainst it”

“…………”

‘‘She is good as usual when it comes to preparation at such times’‘

“However, can I have you keep this matter still secret to other students? It’s a fairly important issue after all”

“…Yes”

As he replied with a slight tension, the three of them went up the stairs of the basement

“Besides, also regarding the ruins’ investigation, I want results for the new layer soon As a matter of fact, also for that child[3]––”

Turning a somewhat distant look into empty space, Relie muttered so

After having parted fro with Airi

With no trace of anybody in the neighborhood, a pale irl’s dormitory

“It may be only today that I can be with Nii-san in this way You will have Krulcifer-san from tomorrow on after all”

“Errr… Airi, I don’t think what you’re saying will happen though…”

To Airi’s words which posed as a joke, Lux replied so while s wryly

“But, please be careful Especially–– of her”

“By her… youin various ways, but I don’t think she’s a bad person”

“Maybe It's just a woman's intuition It’s son student fro––”

To Airi’spuzzled

When they returned to the entrance of the girl’s dormitory, they decided to part ways there

“Well, Airi See you later”

“Yes Please be careful, too, Nii-san I have discussed with the”

“Eh…?”

“No, it’s nothing, Nii-san”

Leaving behind a ful smile, Airi left

It was the usual Airi, but Lux noticed her last concern said in a stronger tone

The obtained horn and ruins’ investigations which aren’t progressing

Though just to a few people, The “Black Hero’s” real identity was revealed

The tian to move little by little

Part 4

“Hey, Lux-kun May we eat lunch together?”

“Ah, yes That’s fine by me, but––”

The next day at lunch break

When Lux was thinking about the ruins’ investigation, Krulcifer came over to his seat

Acting as her “lover” for one week

For Lux who knew of that agree invited by a beautiful girl like Krulcifer, it makes one’s heart beat fast

“Ah, so Krulcifer-san wasn’t joking after all”

“Yes, to think that that girl was so assertive… She’s serious”

The classroom was astir and the female students raised their voices so unanimously

(Not good, this conversation attracts attention too much…!)

As Lux confusedly stood up and was about to leave the classroom,

“Hey both of you, wait a minute”

Lisha suddenly stood in front of Lux and Krulcifer

The New Kingdom Princess with blond hair tied to the side and deep crimson pupils

In this acadeiven treatment in no way different to that of other students, but as expected the students’ attention gathered

“What do you want?”

“I have to talk to Lux a little, not you So, you don’t ht?”

“Ah, if it’s only that––”

Before Lux could agreed,

“Sorry, but I will have to refuse”

Krulcifer calmly declared so

“Wha…!?”

“Today, I want to talk with him, just the two of us He becaht, haven’t I?”

“Guh…”

Lisha’s face became stiff

“Well then, excuse us Princess”

Krulcifer pulled Lux out of the classroom

“Guh, I’ll remember this!”

While hearing Lisha’s frustrated voice, the two people walked down the corridor

As the foreign student Krulcifer and therooh to attracted attention very much

(As expected, I’d better pay extra attention to this request…)

Lux slowly ate lunch while thinking about such a thing

Part 5

The afternoon class was a practice of battle form

They headed to the practice field away froear and wore Machine Dragons

“Well then, today, illfor the campus selection battle, which will be held teeks later”

When all the nified voice resounded in the wide practice field

The ruins where ancient weapons and technology slept were not places where anyone could readily investigate

The right and opportunity to excavate the ruins were foro, and the national tournaation rights

Plainly speaking, the country which left the better results in the tournahts

The off campus tournament was held once every several months

The campus selection battle in order to choose participants for it was going to begin soon

Therefore, it see today, but––

“…Today three Drag-Knights have come from the capital’s army as temporary instructors Everybody, do not miss this opportunity, and properly learn”

By Instructor Raigree’s introduction, the men entered the practice field

Men wearing the regular arears

Their age was probably alree, about twenty to thirty years

The fe voices at the army’s te at the vanguard of the other two

“This is the first time To think that “males” from the capital would be involved in such a lesson––”

“…In the first place, this was not in the schedule, right?”

“There are many people with a somehow cute face Well, it isn’t to the extent of our Prince”

“Or rather, isn’t it disgusting? How they stared at us––”

When the fe fixedly stared at as they earing dress gear which tightly fitted to their bodies––

“Hou As expected, coht choice”

The uard smiled wryly as he looked at the embarrassed students

It appeared that thisthe three

“The Royal Military Acadeo Indeed, it looks like it’s dependent on the New Kingdom’s per”

“That is because they are still receiving an education curriculum”

Instructor Raigree calmly replied

Judging from her businesslike tone and expression, the visit of these teinally scheduled, and even Lux could guess the fact that it was not expected

But then, as the reason why these men expressly came for?

“No, no, Raigree-dono We, adults must teach them the severity of battle as early as possible No e was judged to be, in the end there is no way that a woman can rival a man, so––”

The rinned and said as to pick a fight

Then, the lean man beside him stepped forward

“That’s right If you get carried away because of that level of o, you’ll have difficulty in the future There is just a handful of strong student Drag-Knights after all I will also use this opportunity to firmly teach you the severity of a battle”

To the tone of the sticky man, the students’ expression stiffened

“But, I would like you to refrain froerous behavior They are still students after all”

As Instructor Raigree resolutely said so,

“Of course, ill be careful However –– forirls though”

In contrast, the etically

And, within a strange atan

Beginning froon’s operation check, they advanced to basic skills practice such as barrier deployht or acceleration and the like, and even extended to shooting by ar

But at this point, it had already beco different from the usual practice

“Hey, you bastard! With such slow et on the battlefield!? Are youfun of me? Huh!?”

“What’s wrong!? Are you already tired? Do you think you can handle a Machine Dragon with this level?!”

“Don’t be naive! Don’t ask anyone! Think by yourself and redo it!”

About ten minutes after the start

The te the feh methods

Even Instructor Raigree atched it attentively looked like she couldn’t somehow settle down

“What the hell does this mean…?”

As Lux, as taking a break, ––

“It see like this before”

“Eh––?”

Krulcifer as behind him before he knew it muttered so calmly

Both of theons now

Since a Drag-Ride’s continuous use had a great burden on the body, they were divided in several groups in the middle of practice and two short breaks were established for each

“––May I sit next to you?”

“Ah…, yes”

When Lux nodded, Krulcifer quietly sat down beside him

And, she fixedly stared at the practice field and opened her mouth

“Those te to the army of the Capital, and it seems that they have wanted to come to this Royal Military Academy since some time now”

It seeht Squadron that was the guerrilla unit of students, had also heard many times about such hidden circumstances

“But, aren’t there already Instructor Raigree and men instructors in the academy? And yet, why––”

The instructors had already been acknowledged as guides who endorsed the New Kingdom’s ideas

‘‘And yet, why have they expressly come here?’‘

“To put it plainly, people don’t change so easily”

With a tone nation, Krulcifer said

“What do you mean––”

“I’n student from another country, but I know at least this country’s history”

History –– in other words, the Old Eovernment system

She was probably speaking about the trend and system of androcracy

“They want to shake the predominance of women They don’t like the fact that woht which was the e in this country It’s natural that such people would co, a person like you may be rare Former Imperial Prince”

Krulcifer jokingly said, but Lux did not laugh at it

Since there was such a long history, it was natural that there were “men” like them

Rather, although they did not take a conspicuous attitude, there were probablyso inwardly

(I thought I understood at least this much, but––)

“Besides, this incident this tie”

“…? What do you mean?”

“You know about the fact that the third-year students had gone for practice to the Capital lastthat practice, the acadeest third-year student, Celis-senpai had cohts over there With her overwhelth”

“…………”

Celestia Ralgris

A daughter of a Duke House and the acade a man-hater

It seemed that she was also ostensibly cal off her strength, but she was looked down upon by the men of the army, and had mercilessly beaten her opponents up in the practice

Therefore, it was more likely that several men of the army in the Capital that had their pride crushed forcibly screwed in and carried out this matter of temporary instructors