Vol 2 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Episode 4 – Duel

Part 1

Lux’s o

At the funeral of Lux’s mother, there was no one of the imperial family

Probably because of their social position after they were banished froine that she had been a queen

Even so, it did not matter for Lux

What should be done from now on and how to protect his little sister Airi, as lying down in sickness

Lux was just looking vacantly at the stained glass in a church

After a while, he cao back home

In front of his ravestone where the few relatives had already left, so

A silver-hairedblack clothes

Lux was slightly familiar with that man of a calm demeanor

“About your rettable”

The il Acadia He was Lux’s half-brother

He did not stay long in the Ied to the power struggle somehow understood

That this man –– he was somewhat different from the other members of the imperial family

“Little brother If you want to achieve so as royalty, you may ask me In the imperial family, even if you are banished froes you still have as royalty It ood word for you, youor two”

When he said “able to learn a thing or two”, he was speaking about various studies including tactics and ad-Rides

Be it decorations or a diplo his “quality” as a royalty by basic education

“It will be a long and steep way But perhaps your detere the Empire Do you want to try?”

“…Please”

Froan

Peruidance And––

Then, one day after seven il witnessed a certain scene

“What is going on? Little brother”

One of the Machine Dragon practice field located in the Imperial Capital

There were a pile of destroyed <wyverns> in the corner

At this ti-Ride, but he heard about repeated injuries and Machine Dragons’ daes from his attendant, and came to see the situation

“I’m sorry I failed a little––”

“It’s not like you How is it possible that you, who has shown a skill which should be called a natural talent as a Drag-Knight until now, fail to operate–– Hmm…?”

Fugil who noticed the abnormality opened his eyes wide

The destroyed <wyverns> had a strange common point

The ars was squashed in a strange shape and broke

And on the other hand, one part of a wall covered with a board of steel was shattered and disappeared

A hich a sword could not cut and a shelling could not shatter, either

“This doesn’t look like you operate the Drag-Ride commonly Did you try some kind of special method of operation?”

Fugil who grasped the unlikely situation inquired as he could not hide his surprise

“Yes”

With an expressionless face, Lux plainly replied

“With just an “ordinary strength”, I will cos ier power”

The memory faded and became blurred

That’s right I can’t forget

There was a promise which he swore to himself

And then, Lux woke up

Part 2

Under the night sky where the

The church site designated as the place of the duel was located in the outskirts of the Fort City third block

A desolated abandoned building which was destroyed after becoainst an Abyss which appeared about two years ago

That site, where numerous debris were scattered about and the outer wall destroyed in every direction rens of people

Moreover, there was stage where Drag-Knights were deployed for lookout and dispersing unrelated people

Standing there were Barzeride and Alterize

“I careed time, my future wife I believed that you would safely finish the ation and return”

As Barzeride exaggeratedly said so, Krulcifer, face to hihtly frowned

“By the way –– what about thatyour lover? I heard that he safely returned froet scared and run away?”

“I had hio back”

Krulcifer was not shaken at his entwining-like provocation

She said so as to brush it away and turned her cold piercing eyes towards the two people

“I cannot let hiet involved with such worthless farce any more than this––”

Then, she cal to her waist

Barzeride seeing that smiled and loudly spoke

“The start time is from now on The conclusion will be until either, when the worn Machine Dragon is cancelled or when the two opponents of the duel accept to surrender”

As to follow, Alterize, a servant of the Einvolk House also drew her Sword Device

“Intentional escape froe of the duel will be considered a defeat Other than that, the rules are conformed to those used in the tournament held in the Capital of this country You’re fine with that, right? Miss”

“Yes, I have o––”

“…………”

Krulcifer’s words which so

Repressing her faint unrest, Alterize inhaled

“––Cos of the linking Earth x wyrm=””>!”

Countless particles of light danced at the same time she said the pass code, and the x wyron was summoned

The greatesta Divine Drag-Ride

Barzeride turned a look of ad-Ride

“As expected of the Einvolk House To think that even a butler Drag-Knight has the skill of EX-class I look forward ement with you Krulcifer”

“Could you please stop acting familiar with me? It is a waste of time”

Krulcifer returned a cold voice to Barzeride’s praise

“I a in the house of other people for a long tis Such as what others really think of you”

“Hou…?”

Soon after Barzeride muttered so, Krulcifer set up her sword

“––Reincarnate The Giant Dragon of calamity imprisoned by worldly treasures Become the equivalence of an endless desire, <fafnir>”

I space was distorted and countless particles of light gathered

Having been foron reminiscent of an ice statue

When it opened froed into armor which wrapped Krulcifer’s body

Barzeride, who saw the surinned

Then, he himself also equipped his body with

“Then duel, start!”

Soon after Alterize shouted, Krulcifer’s <fafnir> flew

She threw a Dagger ai at Barzeride and swiftly set up her special ar canon=””>

Long-range high speed precise shooting which was Krulcifer’s battle style

The thened his barrier in order to flip the Dagger, Krulcifer ier

She aied and at the opening when he blocked

A blue flash tinged with cold pierced the dark night and impacted Barzeride

pakin! A sound of freezing instantly resounded and Krulcifer confirmed the hit

But––,

“For a surprise attack, it lacks in appeal, but I praise your judgment and skill Krulcifer”

Krulcifer shuddered at Barzeride’s calm voice

“……!?”

What had been frozen was a lump of debris that

A piece of a collapsed building that fell into this place which was the church site

He s canon=””> by rolling it up as another shi+eld

The -up debris, so it was usually difficult to implement this countermeasure

So having chosen this church site for the duel ithin Barzeride’s plan

“I was careless To co? Alterize”

A counter canon=””>

There was also the possibility that Barzeride hiation, caested the plan––

“What ht you mean?”

Alterize’s x wyr in mid-air

When Krulcifer barely dodged the tords sharply swung, Alterize showed a smile

“Your skills grew dull Miss”

“––––!”

Rotating the Machine Dragon’s airfra with the other blade

But,

“The naïve one is you”

The blade’s slash was blocked by the autoardless of the user’s will –– the

But at that low=””> which extended from both shoulders of Barzeride’s

“With that special arainst this?”

doun!, two lines of shelling attacked <fafnir>

This attack itself could be blocked with the

But, in that case, it would cause her posture to collapse and Alterize would probably follow after

At this rate, it would gradually turn into a defensive battle

(As expected –– I have no other choice but to gamble)

Krulcifer judged so while grasping the two people’s movements

With a body in which injury and fatigue by the ruins investigation ree in a drawn-out battle

Therefore, she activated <fafnir>’s Divine Raiment <wise blood=””>

The foresight ability which perceived the future within a radius of a dozen of Mel several seconds ahead

When she dodged the attacks with that Divine Raiment, Krulcifer perceived her path to victory line

“I see –– you’re strong You’re indeed strong”

From a remote location, Barzeride repeated that as he was impressed

“But you know, Krulcifer? You should quietly become my wife after all That way, you can be happy I don’t want to hurt you even by any chance Could you please surrender now?”

To Barzeride who uttered an ingratiating voice, Krulcifer leaked a sigh

“Sorry but –– I am not fond of talkative men”

And at the saan to move

“……!? Fast!”

Leaving Alterize as in front of her in a lurch, <fafnir> accelerated

With the flight device of the back wings at ed at Barzeride at a speed which the eyes couldn’t catch

“Are you actually challenging the ground-typed Machine Dragon

Barzeride set up his halberd with a fearless smile

In contrast, Krulcifer brandished a medium-sized blade and slashed at him

Without any fear to the halberd which was let out as to flip her blade up, Krulcifer charged

“In the case of a simultaneous and mutual clash, it’ll be my victory, you know?”

Krulcifer are of the fact that the armor and barrier possessed by

The moment when each other’s weapon was about to cross––,

“I wonder about that”

Krulcifer suddenly smiled

“What…!?”

Soon after, Barzeride opened his eyes wide

The canon of the special ar-Ride

She was ai at the special armament on the shoulder and the Force Core from the start

Then, she dodged the blow of Barzeride who should have the advantage in close-range combat by a hairbreadth

“The ability to read the future, it’s your Divine Raiment…”

Future foresight by <wise blood=””>

While dodging Barzeride’s attack using it, she set up a counterattack

“Nicely done, Krulcifer Though there are soht shoulder as splendid”

“It’s good and all that you praisespecial yet”

“Lord Kreutzer! Please, step back! It is dangerous at that range!”

From far behind, Alterize’s shout could be heard

However, it was too late

By <wise blood=””>’s future foresight, Krulcifer would be able to predict all of the offense and defense in close-range combat

And in this land where debris were buried here and there, it would take at least three seconds until Alterize’s x wyrm=””> could catch up with them

Even a long-range shelling would be blocked by the

All was according to Krulcifer’s calculation

“Well then, goodbye”

She did not let her guard down until the end

When Krulcifer’s blade was about to break the Force Core which was under the battery of the shattered shoulder––

“Do you really think that you can beat me?”

“––Eh?”

Suddenly, the iht disappeared from Krulcifer’s field of vision

Barzeride’s attack which she foresaayed like haze, and from the special armament of

The

While subtly groaning, Krulcifer stared at the burst of explosive flames before her eyes

“Kuh…!? Why did Wise Blood> again––!”

Her physical and spiritual strength should not have run out yet

Of course, it was a fact that she was already exhausted before the duel, but still she made a plan where she could use only the Divine Raiment and her special armaments

Nevertheless––,

“That is because you mistook my ability”

“……!?”

Fla like a pillar

Being hidden within their shadow, Barzeride’s <fafnir>’s flank

The halberd was struck at a sharp angle

The

pakin!

The seven shi+elds deployed in the air were flipped and the halberd hit the airframe

“Uh, kuh…!”

Although it hit the barrier, the power that its (halberd) weight carried could not be completely suppressed

While being blown off along with <fafnir> and rolling on the ground of the abandoned building, she bumped into a mountain of rubble

“Kaha…! Uh, ah…”

Her usually composed face twisted in pain, and Krulcifer writhed

“Oops, sorry It’s the iot to be a little gentler”

Contrary to his words, Barzeride was laughing with an expression free of any sense of guilt

(It’s strange Why did so like this––)

The fact that the future foresight by the Divine Raiment <wise blood=””> was erased and that the

It did not happen due to Krulcifer’s ue

Her spare energy calculation should have been accurately done

And yet, as this reality?

Besides, Barzeride, a “man” who should have already hit his li loed no signs of being tired yet

Did it h to be called “title Holder of the Kingdoe?

(But––, I’m not yet…)

In a desperate situation enough tospirit, Krulcifer repressed her pain and stood up

“Do you still intend to fight? Though your perseverance deserves praise, you no longer have any chance of winning”

“We won’t know until I try”

When she took a deep breath and changed heran arc and brandished her blade

“<wise blood=””>”

Then, she once again activated <fafnir>’s Divine Raiment and read the future several seconds ahead

While reading Alterize’s shelling fro attack and tried to strike the <howling roar=””> on

“Don’t make me repeat myself”

“––!? The foresight again…”

Once again, the effect of the future foresight by <wise blood=””> disappeared and a shelling was released from

It erased the <howling roar=””>’s impact and pulverized the debris far behind

“Why did the attack just now––”

The <howling roar=””> was an attack originally used in order to flip a throwing attack

The eneainst the attack of Krulcifer as taken aback

Just as if he predicted everything

“Did you think that I wouldn’t able to read your movements?”

At the saain

“Kuh…!?”

The blohich creaked the tenacious armor of <fafnir> hit directly; exactly at the sao

She was once again blown right off besides and her back struck the broken wall

“Ka, hah…!”

She violently hit her whole body and her breathing stopped for a moment

Even so, when she tried to fight back, <fafnir>’s ar canon=””> iftly knocked down

“How unsightly–– Don’t disappoint ht that you’ve no chance of winning That’s what I believe”

Barzeride suddenly talked as to persuade her

Alterize probably also felt the same way

Not starting pursuit with the x wyr the course of events at that place

If there were other spectators here, anyone of theht that the outcome was decided

But––,

“I am sorry to disappoint you––, but I am not fond of men who tell obvious lies”

Suddenlyher usual serious expression, Krulcifer asserted

“What…?”

“Disappoint you? No, you should have been glad For tor me like this –– for this expected development”

Barzeride’s expression which was revealing a faint sed into a cold one

“You are cancelling my Divine Raiment Probably for that reason –– in order to read the scope ofthat you took a liking to me as a wife is also a lie It’s because it looks like you can use ht?”

“…………”

Barzeride, showing no signs of interrupting, was silently listening to the words of Krulcifer who indifferently told that

“Besides––, about ere attacked by Drag-Knights in the upper class residential area Wasn’t that also your doing? In order for people like theuidance of an influential person is necessary If you saw my <fafnir>’s ability over there, it would have saved you the trouble of tagging along in the investigation, right?”

“…Haa!”

At the same time when Krulcifer concluded her words, Barzeride revealed a wicked smile

And, he applied pressure to <fafnir> with

“Ku, uuh…!”

With a pohich could by nopain, he slowly applied pressure so as to not let Alterize as on standby behind notice

“As expected of a girl which becomes a “key” of the ruins You were able to read so far”

“…!? You––!?”

About the fact that she was a human from the ruins and that she had the ability as a “key”

Being told about her true identity which should have been secret, Krulcifer’s face turned pale

“How sad, Krulcifer What a sorrowful girl you are To think that the likes of tool of the Einvolk House –– the thing sold over to me noas that clever”

In a grieving tone, Barzeride continued

“Yes It’s as you said Krulcifer”

Barzeridevoice

“Anything and everything has been plotted byabout you who is a “key” which open the ruins, and approaching that butler with the engageot in the way earlier and defeated the bandits And also having summoned a new Abyss at that ti––”

“…………”

“But you know? Even if you know the truth, you can’t do anything after all You, who is no e this reality”

A look full of contempt and a twisted mouth

Barzeride Kreutzer’s true character could be seen there

“––Tool”

To that word thrust at her, Krulcifer’s body trembled

Her skill as a Drag-Knight and even her trusted <fafnir> had been defeated

Krulcifer’s mask which did not come off despite this was about to collapse

She was picked up as a survivor of the ruins by the Einvolk House, and in order to acquire the bonds of a fa of blood (desperate efforts)

But, however iven, her desire of the family she wanted just drifted further away––

(No, it’s wrong–– From the start, I didn’t have it…)

“You don’t understand, Krulcifer The likes of a tool like you mustn’t oppose me”

An ice-like cold sensation took away the temperature from her body

Coht be in the ruins

If she was a huht have accepted her

Thinking only about chasing these possibilities, she had desperately sought the truth until now

“I will y and treasures my own and ultimately stand at the top of this country You’re a tool for that purpose If you behave yourself, I’ll cherish you from now on”

He took down the halberd which he was grasping, and stroked Krulcifer’s belly with the fingertips of his Machine Dragon

“You understand, right? There is nobody in this world that will co yourself to me, your master–– …!?”

While he was speaking,

After just a er pierced the ground

“Who is it!?”

Barzeride retreated and looked up at the night sky

There was one dragon there

The symbol of destruction which overwhelmed those who saw it and inspired awe

With the pale<bahamut> calmly looked down at the battlefield

“Why…?”

Krulcifer who looked up as if getting hook on it muttered in mute amazement

“––I’ late, Krulcifer-san I heard the circumstances from Airi”

Lux showed a gentle smile and called out to her

But,

『Not that! I did not intend to get you involved anymore!』

She sent a sorrowful cry to Lux through the dragon voice

『Why did you co <bahamut>!? Like this, even your true identity will be––』

His <wyvern> was seriously daation and could not be used

Even Lux hi his strength

And he couldn’t afford to let these two people know his true identity which was the “Black Hero” now

Therefore, even though she ed in the duel alone––

“I’m Lux Acadia, a duel opponent Currently at this time, I enter the battle”

When Lux said so in a voice full of determination, he landed in front of Krulcifer and stood in the way

“A jet black Divine Drag-Ride…? Who on earth is he––”

Alterize rasped her tords

Alterize had also heard about the story of the “Black Hero” –– the legend which destroyed the Old Empire

But, it was just a wild tale of a foreign country

Even with the real thing just before her eyes, she was not immediately aware of his true identity

“Hahahaha! Hahaha!”

At the sahter

He glared at Lux with a happy expression

“Look whose here, I mistook you I was sure you ran away To think that you reveal your true identity just to save one woman–– It looks like you are an unexpectedly stupid man, eh, “Black Hero””

“……!”

To Barzeride’s pointing that out, Lux changed his expression to a sharp one for an instant

“––“Black Hero”!? No way, this boy is…!?”

Though Alterize confused also shouted, Lux did not move an inch

He was just cal at Barzeride in front of him

“No, shall I say the ruless thing Even if you fight in spite of your injury and fatigue, this wo you any benefit”

“……!”

Krulcifer inwardly chewed her teeth to that being pointed out

He probably saw through Lux’s fatigue and sravity

Although arrogant, as expected of soht called “title Holder of the Kingdom”

Even his ability was not just a decoration But––

“I refuse Lord Kreutzer”

Lux, not even shaken, stared at Barzeride and said

“What…?”

“You don’t understand at all hoorthy she is”

At the sae jet black sword

And when he put strength into his feet to juht line––,

“Wait!”

gow! Creating a gust of wind, Alterize sprung at Lux

“Lord Kreutzer is worn out by fighting with her This is a two vs two formal duel First, I shall be your opponent”

She thened with the x wyrm=””> to the maximum and slashed at <bahamut> with her tords

A surprise, instant attack

“Lux-kun!?”

When Krulcifer called out to him from behind, the outcome was already decided

“Wha…!? This is––!?”

The tords held by the x wyrht wrist was destroyed

One counterattack flash by <bahamut>’s Divine Raiment, <reload on=”” fire=””>

He temporarily decelerated his own time and accelerated it up to several times afterwards

He easily defeated Alterize by using the Divine Rai

“…, b-but!”

Having lost her teapons, Alterize took distance from Lux