Volume 5 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Episode 1: The Empire's assassin Blade

Part 1

On that day Lux was sleeping in the infirmary office too when a sudden clamor arose

「Lux! I re Drag-Ride! With this the toilet and bathing will be child's play──probably!」

「Isn't that quite dangerous instead!? Or rather, I' it aren't I!?」

Faced with Lisha's innocent smile Lux refused in panic

Krulcifer who saw it directed an aaze to Lisha from the side

「As usual you are wasting your talent needlessly, are you not……In the first place, there is no need to take such a dangerous approach, you could easily take care of Lux-kun's bath if you just wear the water dress you bought last time」

「T-There was that way too! I mean, why are you here!? Today is not your turn, is it!? I' care of Lux!」

「I a here to teach hih I will obediently leave if you can do that in h?」

Fort City Cross Field, a white room in the first block inside the academy

Right next to the sleeping Lux's bed two girls were quarreling

One was the young princess of this New Atisdom, Lizsharte

The other was Krulcifer, an exchange student and daughter of a count froious country Ymir

Lisha was a lovely princess with scarlet eyes and long blonde hair tied in a ponytail to the side, a girl full of energy with a strong will despite her petite body

Krulcifer was a beautiful girl with long flowing bluish hair and white porcelain skin, a talented wo unparalleled ability in both literary and hter

Lux was overjoyed that such girls frequently come to visit, but──

（Why does it always turn this way……）

Lux was breaking out in a cold shile looking at the two girls before him

One week after co camp in Ries Island there would be a tournaon Battle』 But he had yet to fully recover

Even after waking up fro sleep he couldn'tOver Li-Ride limiter

In order to relieve his still achingin the academy's infirmary office

Until the day of the tournaht exercise was forbidden, not to -Ride practice

Such were the conditions i his examination

「I do notyourselves with Nii-san, but be a little quiet please Did you forget that we are in the infirmary office?」

Such an exasperated murmur suddenly came from the nearby chair

Airi Arcadia──Lux's little sister sharing the saaze to them with a book in hand

「Muu, can't be helped then I guess it's fine if the little sister is here……I'll coain later」

「──It really cannot be helped I will take my leave for today too Let's work hard with the supplementary lessons next time」

Lisha stood up and left the room with Krulcifer in tow

Only Lux and Airi were left in the infirlow

「Fuu……even so, lately Lisha-sa on?」

「It's all because of Nii-san that those two are so worked up though」

「Huh?」

Lux tilted his head to one side at Airi's brief comment

「Having no self-awareness is a poor taste」

She aze still on the book in her hands

Speaking of which, he got the feeling that Krulcifer becaressive than before after he told everyone that he would be Lisha's knight──Could it be, it was related to that?

（……It can't be, right?）

Lux took a deep breath to sort out his feelings while looking out the

For the tiht before himself

Fight for the right to investigate the ruins at the tournament in the capital

In truth, Lux also wanted to train in order to get the overall victory in the upcoon Battle that would be held in the capital but──

「By the way, according to my calculations your operational limit is about 12 minutes」

「12 minutes?」

Lux showed a doubt at this sudden aze

「That is the tion Battle is over, the ared if you use it beyond that But this is still a nu calculations with the operational data up to now, it will change so on how you use your weapons If you use a《Wyvern》you could e to a certain extend──」

「I only have, that little time?」

He was already prepared to so Over Limit, but as expected it was harsh

He wouldn't use《Baha matches anyway, but still──

Thump! Airi closed her book audibly and flashed a cool smile to Lux

「This is as much as I'll compromise In reality, Nii-san's wounds are at a level where he should refrain froht?」

「I-I understand, my bad……」

Airi stood up with a sigh when Lux apologized ier

「Besides──the current Nii-san has a higher possibility of running into soerous」

「Yeah I know, Hayes and Nii-san──right?」

Hayes, the Black Marketer, and theRepublic

And Fugil, an enemy of the oldempire whom Lux had pursued for years

Heiburg had continually attacked the New Kingdoainst such an opponent Lux and the others definitely couldn't let their guard down during the All-Dragon Battle

「Actually, that's not the only thing though」

「Eh?」

「No──it's nothing I'll tell Nii-san when you get a little better」

Airi left the rooful words

Once the infirirls' faces

It was hard to notice because both Lisha and Krulcifer put their appearance in order first before co here, but he noticed

They were actually going through so themselves until they were out of breath

They would never say it, after all, the reason why they were going so far during training was to prevent Lux fro all the burden alone

「We have to win──Absolutely」

Lux clenched his fists tightly and renewed his determination

For the sake of Philuffy and Lisha, whoht

Part 2

The cries of cicadas and h the fully opened s

Two days later After a long stay in the infirmary office, Lux finally showed up in the classroom fully rested

Today is the second day of attendance set in a row

Many students in the dor summer vacation so half of the seats in class re e tiic

「Hi! Congratulations on your full recovery Lux-chi!」

When he got to his seat for the first ti cairls in class led by Tillfur of the Triad

「Thanks for the hard work! I got worried when I heard you collapsed~」

「Hoas the training ca fun happen──」

「I o back home this year so I was bored~」

Only after having entertained all the girls who surrounded him could Lux finally talk to Tillfur

She went to visit hi with Sharis and Noct of the Triad, but they did not talk for long in consideration of the weary Lux

「Goodunusual happen while I ay?」

「H news for Lux-chi but which one would you like to know first?」

Tillfur held three fingers in front of Lux and asked teasingly

As the er for any ruathered information from all over the academy

It see

「Let's see, if possible, about souess?」

「Alright! Hmm, well……then, here!」

Thump!

And, she suddenly pulled a thick stack of papers out of nowhere and put them on his desk

「What's this……?」

While listening Lux could sos turn out like this

「Well~, it looks like an unreasonable amount of requests piled up while Lux-chi was not here And, just for the record, I narrowed it down to one-third of it So I' on you to do those when you feel like it!」

「This is after whittling it down!?」

It was shocking

Still, it wouldn't do to ignore it, he would try to reduce it if even a little before the tournament took place

「I guess the second one is that recently er」

「Is that even so I need to know!?」

「Uwa, how cruel! This is so to say you know! Lux-chi too, read the ……」

Lux averted his gaze from Tillfur as her cheeks turned faintly red

（Don't say it if you are going to get embarrassed……）

He s nonchalantly at her breasts as he thought this was the sad nature of man

「F-Forget about just now, okay? And──finally for thehappened in the capital during the official o」

「In the capital……?」

Lux inadvertently held his breath after seeing Tillfur's unusually serious expression

As a Drag-Knight Lux was also known by another name『Weakest Undefeated』

Even though he once participated several tiiven that na from there ever since he enrolled in the academy

「Un Lux-cchi, do you know of the top 10 Drag-Knights there?」

「I have never really fought the matches, but well……somewhat」

As the previous year's 3rd ranked Barzeride disappeared soed, but he rehter

「The thing is, it seeht to their knees on the sairl in battle──」

「Eh……?」

At those unexpected words Lux doubted his own ears

「No way──, that's impossible」

「That's right In the first place, there are so the 1st to the 10th rank, right?」

The surrounding girls raised their voices in disbelief but Tillfur kept her stern look

「I think so too but there's no doubt of it That girl is an a beauty with black hair and eyes of different colour, she appeared to be wearing black clothes fron country──」

Froirl's bare body in the dark night

「Is that──」

Just as Lux was ree came into the classroom

「Everyone, go to your seats Lesson is starting shortly」

Even though it was already suularly attend lessons and train to keep their

When Lisha and the others who see entered the classroo time finally started

Part 3

「Yosh, Lux! Let's go the cafeteria quickly! My story」

「Even though you are sleeping like a log until just now, you wake up with really good tiht to invite him you know?」

When the lunch break ca prostrated on the desk became the first one who came beside Lux's desk

Krulcifer cutting in there was also the everyday thing, but today the situation was a bit different

「Today isLu-chan」

Philuffy was speaking out froht brown donut

She was a girl with trait of pink hair, amber eyes, and then voluptuous breasts

Philuffy as Lux's childhood friend and the young daughter of a financial congloh what happened at Ries Island had never happened

The seed of a Ragnarok that was planted inside her──Ratatoskr

Lux fought in order to free Philuffy from that fate that could also be called a curse

Fortunately, after that it seemed there was no bad effect for her and she could spend her everyday normally

Lux was really glad about that and he was relieved, but──,

「I, indeed today is your turn but, that, my body, it's already fine see」

When Lux replied like that stiffly, Philuffy stared fixedly into Lux's eyes with her usual expressionless look

「I, only looked after Lu-chan once you know?」

「Eh……!?」

「The nursing turn was decided with lottery, but I only got to do it once you know?」

Duty rotation system

Because Lisha and others nominated themselves to look after Lux while he was unable tolottery, and they took daily turn nursing Lux, but Philuffy's turn only came out once

Of course that was just a coincidence, but it seemed that Philuffy couldn't accept it

「No but, even Phi-chan is still recovering too, and as you can see, I'm already fine so──」

Actually he still wasn't in his peak, but it was ee like hih like that but──,

Puih

As soon as Philuffy saw Lux's reaction, she averted her face with her face still looked serious

「Eh? Phi-chan……?」

「Lu-chan, is cold」

Philuffy htly puffed up

「I, it's not like that It's, we are already at this age see, as I though doing thing like that in ──」

When Lux tried to soothe Philuffy in panic,

「Even though, I slept with Lu-chan after you asked me」

Mutter, the girls at the surrounding were stirred at that instant

「No, that, it's, it hen I caught a cold so──」

「Also, you asked h?」

「Why do you reet it already!」

「You also touchedyou know?」

「I' you stop it already──」

Thus Lux raised the white flag It was then,

「──I'm sorry Excuse me」

Suddenly a calm voice interrupted that tumult quietly

It was the roommate of Airi, and the first year of the academy's well-known trio──the Triad, Noct

She came in front of Lux with her usual calm face

「……Aa, Noct, it's been a while What's the matter?」

「I was asked by Airi to secure Lux-san It looks like she wants to talk at the courtyard She is going ahead to reserve a spot, so can I ask you to accompany me?」

「Err…… Then, right now is also tiether──」

「It's a ency, so please come with me at once」

「Ah, right I get it」

'Sorry', Lux turned down the other girls, then,

「Then, let's hurry」

Noct as usually reserved unusually pulled Lux's hand and started walking

「Wha, what's the ent──」

When Lux asked agitatedly, Noct continued walking with her eyes staring forhile she answered

「It see Lux-san There is an ene after you, hat Airi said」

「Eh……?」

「Does Lux-san know about a Drag-Knight called the Empire's assassin Blade? I only heard from Airi just now, but──」

Noct continued while pulling the hand of the bewildered Lux

「The Empire's assassin Blade? That's──」

He had heard only the ruo

A Drag-Knight that boasted an abnorth who hailed from eastern island country that was once destroyed by the old empire

The old e-Knight and then that person worked for the old empire After that no one knew about that person's whereabouts

When Lux tried to grope his thread of e and arrived at the courtyard

Perhaps because it was lunch ti

A in the city, Lux could see the figure of Airi sitting on a curb It was then Lux noticed

Lux's time suddenly stopped

Inside the courtyard and the fe, there was a terribly mismatched existence mixed in

A sree of exposure

Glossy black hair that reached until the waist, and eyes of different color from each other

Her right eye was vibrantly blue like the sea

Her left eye was devilishly purple, calling to em

Even after taking into account that her features weren't sodoirl

And then──what iaze

It was an alluring gaze that was filled with strong affectionate zeal

The sirl whose cheeks were faintly flushed was so lovely that Lux's heart spontaneously ju of shuddering fear in him

(──What's with, this girl? Her presence isn't like a person, isn't human……!)

Instantly, the words of Tillfur this ed in Lux's mind

The external appearance of the girl who consecutively won against the first until tenth place in mock battle at the royal capital

『That girl is an a beauty with black hair and eyes of different colour, she appeared to be wearing black clothes fron country──』

「Nii-san! It's that person! That person there, she is the E at Nii-san!」

Airi's voice returned Lux to his senses

The black clothed girl as called the E step by step toward Lux as though the other bewildered students didn't exist

And then, when she finally arrived in front of Lux,

「Nii-san, please run away! With Nii-san's body right now, against this girl it's──」

When Airi yelled, Noct as beside Lux put her hand on the handle of her Sword Device

That le move could set off the explosive situation──,

「It's an honor to itimate successor of Arcadia Empire──Lux Arcadia, is that correct?」(TN: Aruji-sama = My lord/master)

The girl gracefully kneeled in front of Lux and lowered her head reverently while speaking

「……E, err, more or less it's like that──?」

Lux iuard, but he was taken aback froentle manner

「I have been looking forward to the day where I can meet you Aruji-sama My name is Kirihime Yoruka I was once called the Eht of Arcadia Empire」

The girl who introduced herself as Yoruka stood up She then brought her face closer to Lux with her cheeks blushi+ng scarlet

Her faint sweet perfu to be kissed caused Lux's heart to throb

「Wa, wait, what is this about!? About Arcadia E to kill me──」

The old eh the span of several hundred years

The remnants of that old eainst the new kingdoirl was hostile against Lux because he was siding with the new kingdom, but

「Certainly not」

In contrast with Lux's anxiety, Yoruka instead ht smile suddenly

「I'enuinely co here in order to serve you, Aruji-sama It is my dearest wish for every shred of my flesh and every drop of my blood to be used up as the limbs or tool to make Aruji-sama's ambition come true」

Lux and Airi stood petrified on the spot hearing those very unexpected words The students ere at the courtyard were also starting to make commotion

Lux was unable to gauge the girl's truethe sudden proposal──,

「Err, Kirihime……san?」

「It will be my happiness if Aruji-sama can just call me Yoruka without any honorific I ae is also a year below Aruji-sama──and, what does Aruji-sama need from me?」

「That, you said just now about serving me──」

「Yes Please say anything if there is so that Aruji-sama wished for Whether it's assassination, or some trivial chores, or perhaps──even if Aruji-sa my mouth, I won't mind at all」

「Wai-!? How did you reach that conclusion!?」

「My? It's fine even if Aruji-sao, Aruji-sah at least that much」

「N, no, that's because I' a lot──that's not it What I meant to ask, could it be that the one who consecutively won at mock battle in the capital, it was you?」

When Lux asked as in his mind, Yoruka became aardly bashful

「Aruji-sa that matter, it was et about it」

「……What, do you mean?」

When Lux asked, Yoruka made a faint wry smile while,

「Before going to greet Aruji-sae first It's so that Aruji-sath without reservation, thinking that──but, it was a massive failure」

Yorukared

「Massive failure……you mean?」

「Yes Because it was a tourna would be quite a big deal, and yet──they are just too weak No matter howto boast about at all」

Lux was speechless toward that innocent smile

Naturally, defeating all the top rankers of the mock battle wasn't a trivial matter

Even for the selected on Battle in the acadeainst those top rankers counting out the Divine Drag-Ride user

And yet──this girl

While Lux was staring at Yoruka in surprise,

「──That intruder over there! Don't move!」

Suddenly there was the angry yell of atheir way in a run

It was likely that a student who noticed Yoruka entering inside the acadeuards

But, the person in question Yoruka herself didn't even look perturbed She spoke calmly

「Aruji-saive me your first command That is──『Remove the nuisance』」

「……No, let's continue this talk later」

Lux as convinced of Yoruka's disturbing sign immediately told her so

「I want you to wait for a while until I canthem?」

When Lux carefully said that, Yoruka flashed him a composed smile

「As you wish Aruji-saain later」

Right after that, Yoruka started running with a relaxed movement

「Wait you there! Don't think that you can escape from here!」

Yoruka evaded the hand of theher way through between the buildings

The strange tension filling the courtyard finally left

「Fuu……」

Lux took a deep breath with the departure of the small storm

「Even though she is wearing that kind of loose clothes, and yet she easily evaded capture」

Noct whispered in ad at the direction Yoruka escaped toward

But, Lux was harboring a troubled impression

Even though she was only taking action for si

Most likely when she wore her Drag-Ride, she should display strength that was even ue

(Can I win against her? Even if I' Bahamut in a state of perfect health──)

That scene crossed his mind for an instant, however he shook his head

Right noas pointless to think about it

Lux ended his fruitless consideration and returned his gaze to his front, it was then──,

kyurururu

「Ah……」

Lux's face reddened frorowl of his stomach

「For now let's have lunch, Nii-san We also need to talk about that girl」

「Yes You're right」

Lux sether with Airi and Noct

He also talked about the matter of Yoruka to Lisha and others who came to check Lux's condition, and it was decided that before long they would discuss it with everyone

With that, he thought that for the ti he could delay the probleirl who could even be called his fate with the old empire, but──,

(My,is too naïve……!)

Perhaps because it was the summer vacation, or perhaps because the teachers were busy with the advance arrangements for the tournament, the afternoon class unusually became self-study class It was then a new incident occurred

「──Aruji-saht now? This is a really peculiar work」

「Err……this isn't work, it's a -Ride, or the foret out of the classroom first!?」

When Lux said the thing that in everyone's mind, Yoruka tilted her head and,

「Aruji-sa isn't it? It's fine if Aruji-sama only think about me like empty air」

「No, it's not just me, everyone in the class is also troubled……in the first place how did you enter the acadeain……?」

「It's better to fire those guards quickly without delay Aruji-sama They are just too much of an incompetent to be the subordinate of Aruji-sama ill one day take back this country」

A very aard atmosphere filled inside the self-study class

After they parted in the courtyard──Lux thought that even in the worst case Yoruka wouldn't show up again until after school, but of all thing, she intruded in until this class at the saan

And then, she attached the desk and chair that she brought fro it so that her body was co near Lux's body from the side

According to Yoruka herself, she was guarding her master Lux

However, because she was sticking close to hi

The stares from not just the other classmates, but also from Lisha, Krulcifer, and Philuffy hurt

This bizarre situation was happening because of Lux's request to his classmates

Kirihiirl as once called as the E, and then her action couldn't be predicted at all

What he understood from Airi's story was that she was loyal toward the destroyed Arcadia Empire, and that she was fixated with Lux as a irl in the present would be dangerous

Fortunately, it seeree He wished to settle thecommotion at the present time

And so, he requested everyone to not interfere with him and Yoruka but──

(How to say it, it feels like I co choice……)

Lisha who should be sleeping right away if it was self-study ti at Yoruka As for Krulcifer as looking callance, there were already papers crumpled into round shape on her desk

Philuffy beside hi absent, if Philuffy became unable to hold herself back, then even Lux wouldn't be able to stop her anymore

Inside the at on a bed of nails, the sound of bell that infor

「My, it looks like it's finally over Then Aruji-sama, let's have a bit of talk in your room──」

「Wa, wait a second!? You see, after this I have some chores」

「My? Is that so?」

「Right That's why Yoruka, you spend a bit of tiain when uard me while I'm inside the academy」

「I understand Aruji-sama」

He thought that sheuntil now, but Yoruka nodded unexpectedly easily and left from the classroom

Lisha and Krulcifer ca in relieve

「Oi Lux Did that wo? I need to talk a bit to her」

「Ah, please don't…… I understand your feeling but, the All-Dragon Battle is right on the corner already」

Seeing Lisha drawing out her Sword Device with a daring smile, Lux hurriedly soothed her down But then this time it was Krulcifer who looked like there was shadow around her eyes

「Nevertheless Lux-kun, you too don't look like that you really hate it aren't you? That girl is beautiful, and she is also dressed lewdly just how Lux-kun likes it, good for you isn't it?」

「Even Krulcifer-san, please don't bully me like that! Tha, that's, certainly it was my bad that I couldn't refuse her clearly but──」

「Lu-chan, pervert」

Philuffy's brief words that were muttered calmly from the side with that serious look expressed how she was feeling

If the third year Celis was here, Lux was convinced that it would become even more troublesome

In the end he requested everyone that he would do so The class was over and it became after school

(Haa, it's finally over……)

But after that, when he thought that he was temporarily freed from Yoruka, he was mistaken

「──Aruji-sama I will also help out」

Lux was going to do three light chores for his relaxation and rehabilitation

The girl appeared at his destination and offered to help