Volume 5 Chapter 1 (2/2)

「I'ed tool」

When Yoruka appeared at the back of the school building where he wasSword Device It was terrifying so Lux stopped her

「I'er than I look you know?」

When Lux atering the flower bed, she was throwing out a large aht from the water bucket, so he stopped her

「I'」

When Lux was tidying up docu to incinerate all the stained book so he stopped her

「I, I beg you, can you just stay still over there……?」

「Let's see Then, I'll serve as Aruji-sauard just as planned」

At the end, Yoruka concluded so with a shtest ill will

「Haa, the fatigue from the chores is three times the usual……!」

The sun finally set and the night caan to be audible

Lux who received the dorirl's dor

For Lux as the only boy in this academy, this was a precious time that was permitted to hi bath

These few days where he was unable tohis body with towel, but as expected it was insufficient with just that in this summertime

「Fuu……, it's really cal」

Lux dipped into the wide bathtub slowly after lightly washi+ng himself

The large public bath was created fro the place

Entering this place by hi of liberation, it felt like he had even beco

(Well, I'h──)

Lux s the itimate successor of the empire』

The only thing that he clearly understood fro him this whole day was that she didn't have any ability for a normal life at all

It see but──

「I wonder how should I treat her……?」

Lux talked to hi deeply inside the bathtub

He still didn't understand the true intention of Yoruka, the Empire's assassin Blade

What he kneas only that she was still faithful toward Arcadia Eo and she wanted to swear her loyalty to Lux as the last re blood-related male of the imperial family

「As I thought, it's no good unless I talk properly with her……」

After whispering, Lux got out of the bath and headed to the washi+ng place

If that girl was the survivor of the old empire's servant, then he had the duty to face her as the survivor of the imperial family

While Lux was sitting on a chair and washed his body, around his back there was the sensation of a towel that was lathered with soap

「──Is there so you, Aruji-sama?」

Was it his just iirl Lux smiled wryly

「Yes, just a bit」

When Lux replied half-heartedly, the washi+ng sensation on his back becaer

The superb strength control felt really pleasant

He was bad at washi+ng his own back, so it felt good that his back was getting washed well, but──,

「──Eh?」

Lux who split his attention in his thought suddenly noticed that both his hands were right in front of him

Then, as the sensation on his back then?

「How are you feeling, Aruji-sama?」

When Lux turned around in panic hearing that voice, there was the color of skin in front of his eyes

White and bewitching, glistening and lustrous skin of a girl

That beautiful naked body with fes was only hidden by just a few bubbles It was ht

「Wha, ha-hat are you doing here Yoruka-!?」

Lux was backing away in his intense confusion while saying that In response Yoruka giggled with her cheeks slightly red

「There is no need to worry I' my Sword Device after all There is no flaw in your protection detail Aruji-sama」

「That's not it! That's not what I'm concerned about!」

「My? It's fine to not be so reserved around me you know, Aruji-sama?」

Lux spontaneously gave a straight ht red face, but Yoruka wasn't perturbed and she moved even closer to him

「I have ascertained the previous day that there is no problem with Aruji-sama's male instinct If it's your wish, please allow me to help as a woman in this place」

「……Eh?」

Hearing that sentence, the girl's naked body flashed back inside Lux's mind and he was bewildered

「At that ti to take off my clothes to show that I was unarmed, but Aruji-sama seemed tired so I put back my clothes And so──will Aruji-sama let me help now?」

Yoruka's fingertip slowly traced Lux's chest, at that moment──,

「──Sorry! I re to do for a bit-!」

Lux evaded Yoruka, poured himself with hot water, and then he went outside the public bath without pause

He changed clotheshis wet body, and then he started running to escape from that place

「Haa, haa……I forgot that ……」

Lux breathed heavily with heaving shoulders while taking stock of his present situation once more

He wanted to consult with everyone and thought a bit more about the matter of Yoruka, but it didn't seem like he could do that

Lux went to Airi's room and then asked her to tell everyone that

And then he returned to his room and made preparation

Part 4

Outside the acaderound

The first city block of Cross Field at night was quiet with little lighting

The curfew had passed a long tiet scolded by the dorm's mother when he returned, but it couldn't be helped

Inside the di to an empty plot with few pedestrian traffic──however it possessed soree of space It was then a faint presence followed him from behind

It was early su to sleep

Lux sharpened his nerves inside the silence before he finally could sense that existence

「Yoruka Are you already nearby?」

「Please rest assured I am constantly at Aruji-sama's side」

When Lux questioned toward empty air, a voice immediately responded back

Right after that, Yoruka showed up fro

Inside the darkness of night where there was alirl's different eye colors were reflected beautifully

「But, this is a little careless I heard that it is relatively safe inside the Cross Field, but if we think about Aruji-sama's status──」

「……Say Yoruka, why are you trying to devote yourself until that far to me?」

Yoruka only returned a quiet smile toward Lux's question

「Froht from the nation of Koto──a country that was destroyed by the old ened a contract with my father the emperor, and you joined under the banner of the empire's army……」

「How unusual When ru conclusion will be off the , Aruji-sama's perception is mostly not mistaken」

Yoruka's face burst into a bright smile and she showed affirmation like that

「Is that really all? Because, Arcadia Empire has perished already you know?」

But, what Lux wanted to knoas beyond that point

「If you had a contract with e of Arcadia Empire, then there is no more need to protect that kind of contract──」

「My naned to me later」 (TN: Kirihime is formed from the kanji of kiri(cut) and hime(princess))

Yoruka suddenly let out a jesting tone and turned her back on Lux with a twirl

「The surnaoverned the nation of Koto was Habakiri── While I was a princess of a country, when I was a child I was casted away because I am disqualified as a royalty」

Lux unconsciously held his tongue hearing the content of Yoruka's story

The nation of Koto was a small island country at the east, at the past the skirmish that contested trade resources developed into a war, and in the end the country was destroyed by the old empire

The fact that Yoruka was a princess of that country was also so, but,

「Casted away……you mean?」

「Yes Well, it's not sonificant In the first place it was my little brother as expected to succeed the throne──rather at that time I was relieved because I didn't need to do all the troubleso-Knight was recognized and I was picked as the royal guard of my brother」

Based froht attitude, it was unthinkable that she was lying

However, Lux wondered why

He felt like he could see some kind of emotion inside Yoruka's elusive personality for the first time

「A few years after that At the wartined a contract with his majesty the emperor The contract is for me to live and die for the empire I don't have attachment to desire or interest by nature since I was born That's why, I'ht for this country──until its very end」

Yoruka turned around Her violent smile made Lux to step back reflexively

「Then, please allow oing to deceive those girls?」

「……What, do you mean?」

「It th, it's possible to destroy this falsehood of a country i down the pillar of this country and rebuilding Arcadia Empire is──」

「You're joking, right……?」

It was impossible

It wouldn't easy by any stretch of mean for Lux to take down the present imperial capital by himself, even for exae Above all else, Lux who once destroyed the old empire had no such intention at all

「Of course, I won'tter back Arcadia Eht now?」

A pure sirl that was filled with anticipation was directed at Lux

Lux lost his words against that deter in the shadow

He could al of terror that was the reason this girl as formerly of the royalty was banished from her royal family

(This girl, it almost like she has no self-restriction)

People no

That so would be family or friend as the closest And then froanization, people would live while being conscious of their position and relationshi+p inside so like their city or country

But, this girl didn't have anything like that

She was le unique and independent individual

Therefore if Luxeven toward Lux who she recognized as her lord

(But──)

If she was a person as succeeding the will of the old empire, the country that Lux failed to save in the past, then he was even more unable to deceive and lie to her here

「Unfortunately, I don't have any intention like that」

Lux lifted his face and stared straight into Yoruka's eyes while infor her so

「Arkadia Eo in that day That's why, you too──don't need to obey such contract anymore」

Yoruka's expression didn't change at all even while hearing that farewell pronouncement

「Is Aruji-sama, serious?」

When Lux nodded wordlessly, Yoruka slowly took off his gaze from him She then looked up at the moon that was obscured by cloud

「The wind is blowing isn't it?」

Lured by Yoruka's words, Lux lifted up his face to look at the sky, it was at that moment──,

GIINN……!

The sound of high-pitched sword clashi+ng burst sharply in front of Lux

One side that caused that was Yoruka's slash from the Sword Device she unsheathed from her waist and flashed in an arc

And then the other side was a rapier thrust that flew like an arrow from behind Lux

That sli on it the same like Yoruka's Sword Device

「……Celis-senpai!?」

When Lux looked back in surprise, a girl was standing there

The acadeest third year student with the trait of beautiful blonde hair and jade eyes

A girl that was the captain of the acaderis

「Please draw back Lux It's dangerous for the current you」

Celis aze fro with hers

With his current condition, he would become hindrance for Celis

Thinking that Lux leaped backward Right after that the crossing swords of the two scattered sparks and repelled each other

「You are quite so」

Yoruka showed a surprised s back She then readied her katana-type Sword Device in middle stance

「The leg strength and explosive power that can close the distance from that position until here with one step The skill to block my slash with that slim sword And then above all else──your instantaneous discernment is splendid」

Far fro shaken up by the sudden interruption, Yoruka insteadit very much

In contrast Celis lightly pulled back her rapier and observed her opponent silently with un stance

「You are exaggerating I still haven't showed anything that is worthy of praise」

Right after Celis declared so to pressure the opponent, light particles converged behind her and a golden dragon appeared

The Divine Drag-Ride that Celis owned, Lindas su the passcode

「Celis-senpai! She is still──!?」

「It's regretful, but I won't listen if you are asking me to be considerate to her This is not an opponent that will allow such carelessness」

Celis declared with aloof air

「A good decision──but」

That moment, Yoruka whose eyes were shadowed leaped back from that place with a step

「You aren't being careless at all, but you aren't seriously thinking that you can really defeat me aren't you?」

Yoruka easily took a distance of ten round once

At the saht particles converged behind her in high speed A Drag-Ride with dark color they had never seen before was formed and it instantly transformed into armor that covered Yoruka's body

「──Prepare yourself!」

Celis covered herself with Lindwur away Yoruka──she unleashed a thrust with her lance

Yoruka as si a huge 『katana』 that was the same shape with her Sword Device and quickly blocked the lance

It was an instant of offense and defense where there was no time to even breath

The moment sparks that were fiercer than the previous clash scattered, Yoruka backed away even more and took some distance

Right after that, the special ar Lance's surface was traveled by lightning and brightly illu

「Looks like you have a really good instinct Also, that Divine Drag-Ride is──」

Celis silently readied her lance and whispered with her gaze on Yoruka

At that darkness ahead, the Drag-Ride with peculiar shape was floating up along with a fierce killing intent

「That's──!?」

Lux spontaneously held his breath seeing that peculiar Drag-Ride figure

「Let -Ride in my possession──<yato no=”” kaht Katana)

Lux's eyes could see the full appearance of that Drag-Ride at the same time with Yoruka's mutter

The sharp shape of the ar that rapping around the waist──and then, two auxiliary feet extending backward fros

The ar-Ride <drake> that Noct of the Triad was using, but the dragon -Ride was obviously in a different dimension compared to other

(This is bad! At this rate, leaving this to only Celis-senpai is──)

Lux who felt the threat put his hand on Baha to reinforce Celis

But then a voice that came from somewhere stopped him

「──Sorry, but I'll steal your spotlight here, Lux!」

Instantly flying huge metals shaped like an arrowhead attacked Yato no Kami consecutively

Yoruka quickly swung her katana-shaped Blade and repelled away everything

「This weapon──Lisha-sama!?」

When Lux looked up to the sky, he immediately found the answer

Divine Drag-Ride Tiamat

Lisha earing a cri its four special projectile arion(Airborne Fort) and assaulted Yoruka

「I was irritated by this half-naked girl the whole ti to have my payback now」

「The attack just now is quiet powerful──but, it was very sloppy wasn't it? How about you ai it?」

Yoruka dodged the four Legions that were attacking her again while still showing a leisurely smile even then There──,

「That's because it's related with this thing called cooperation」

PAN! There was a voice that shook the air and Yato no Ka the Blade snapped back

Even -Ride frame while her posture was unbalanced

The shots' strength was blocked by the barrier, but Yoruka retreated even further fro

「Krulcifer-san!?」

The figure of Krulcifer as si Fafnir appeared at the sky

Most likely she was together with Celis and Lisha co here after him to watch the situation

「Our bad for outnuo easy on you」

Krulcifer stated to Yoruka like that with her usual cool expression

At the sa her Rifle(Sniper Cannon) while ion

Even so Yoruka skillfully controlled Yato no Kae the attack

「──You are, caught」

Suddenly the tip of a wire that flew from behind Yoruka snapped on Yato no Kami's wrist

「Philuffy!」

Lux's childhood friend, Philuffy Her Divine Drag-Ride, Typhoon possessed special armament called Pile Anchor

Wires were fired from various part of the armor, then the pile at the tip could seize the enemy

Right after that, Philuffy who got down on the eh speed

「Philuffy! There is residential area nearby, so don't do anything excessive──」

「Yes I know」

Typhoon couldn't use its fist to send the ene or use a special armament with excessive destructive power here

Even so the straight fist attack from Typhoon would surely be able to destroy Yato no Kami without difficulty

──But,

「Oh dear」

Yoruka showed a fearless s of the Pile Anchor's tip suddenly came off

The moment the calculation of everyone there went out of order, Yato no Ka pulled in to slash at Typhoon

Philuffy i-Ride's stout arm and successfully block the slash, but the surface of the ar purplish red slowly spreading on it

「That's──!?」

Lux opened his eyes wide At that moment, two Pile Anchors were simultaneously fired from Typhoon's both shoulders

At the direction the Pile Anchors were fired at, there were Lisha and Krulcifer ere ai at Yoruka from the sky

「Wha-……!?」

It was an attack that caed the pile in a hair's breadth

「Oi! What are you doing natural airhead! You want to shoot us down huh!?」

Lisha yelled angrily, but Philuffy whispered 「……That's not it」 there

At the saed Celis's spear thrust and she smiled

「It's aed that surprise attack But──, how about this?」

「──What!? Uah!?」

Lisha's Tiah they were pushed away by so Their altitude dropped drastically

But, rather than that fact, Lisha was more confused by the attack method that caused it

「Iions are willfully──why!?」

「──They're co!」

It happened together with Krulcifer's tensed voice

The propulsion device built inside Yato no Kah

Fire burst out froh it was kicking on an unseen floor

Yato no Ka two Drag-Rides and quickly swung its katana

「Kuh……!?」

「──Too slow」

Lisha and Krulcifer readied their respective weapon in order to block the slash, but at that

Sharp ih the frame of Tiamat and Fafnir and their altitude dropped even more

「Kua……! Now you've done it! You dairl……!」

Lisha corrected her balance, then she tried to ready her Cannon It was then so-Ride

「Please be careful! She is controlling your Drag-Ride!」

「What……!」

「Theletters were surfacing on the surface of Tiamat's armor

And then, the Cannon h it was er pulled the trigger

A beaht as thick as a pillar attacked toward Lindwurht line

「U, ku……!」

Lux escaped the danger just abehind a rubble, but the iroan

「My my, so it's exposed already As expected this difference in nue for me」

When the white smoke cleared, Yoruka smiled in jest

「Allow me to introduce it to Aruji-sama My Yato no Kami's Divine Raiment is <spell code=””>, it's a power to te-Ride that it touched」

And then she revealed the true shape of her own Divine Raiment without hesitation

「It snatch the control of the opponent's Drag-Ride at the area centered on the touched spot, the longer the time of contact is──the iven out If I can touch a Drag-Ride for ten second without breaking contact, I will be able to put that Drag-Ride completley under my command」

「──In reverse, this controlling poill also disappear the longer tiht?」

Krulcifer calmly stepped forward and interrupted Yoruka's talk

The Spell Code's letters were already vanishi+ng from the surface of Fafnir's armor

Sheher own Drag-Ride with others

Even in the case that they were touched, if they immediately took distance, Yato no Kami would only be able to control the part that was touched

Even for exaot controlled, the effect would wear out if they took some time separated from Yato no Kami

But, even after knowing that weak point, it didn't change the fact that it was a Divine Raily troublesome ability

Even if one blocked the opponent's attack, but just fro-Ride would be stolen

Therefore, they would be burdened with an overwhele at the point they chose close quarter combat

And then, there was the Godspeed sword handling that Yoruka displayed just now

They couldn't win

No ed they were in term of number, they were near residential area here, because they were restricted in what they could do as to not to involve the civilian, they couldn't act excessively

(Possibly, other than deciding the match instantly──there's no other way)

It would be a gamble if he used Bahamut in his state, but Lux resolved himself and put his hand on his Sword Device once more

Then──,

「Oi, what's that sound?」

「Didn't it come from that empty plot? It's really close from here!」

「What are the guards doing? Can't be helped……I'll go call them──」

Such voices could be heard froht

「Looks like people are co our hand to each other with this th and Yato no Kami's power is already accomplished」

Yoruka casually looked around before suggesting that

But, Celis earing Lindwure lance

「Are you thinking that you can escape?」

「I have no proble you know? It feels like I will be able to have quite much fun if you are my opponent But, letmy consideration like this?」

Yoruka's tone sounded like they were only chatting casually

However that slance was filled with terrifyingly overpowering pressure

「Celis-senpai──this is」

Lux immediately called out to Celis's back

This girl called Yoruka didn't care about right and wrong

If they continued fighting like this, she surely wouldn't have the slightest bit of hesitation to involve the civilian and guard gathering here because of the commotion

They had to avoid that worst case no matter what

「……I understand」

After hesitating slightly, Celis backed off Lisha and others also lowered their weapon following that

Then Yoruka also lowered her katana and slowly faced Lux again

「Then, Aruji-sa ahead in the capital」

Yoruka flashed a bewitching s Yato no Kami

「I will ask about the aforeht with you?」

「Are you……serious?」

Lux took a deep breath and asked with a tre voice

「You are planning to fight with the intention to restore Arcadia Empire no matter what?」

「Yes」

Yoruka nodded without hesitation in her expression Then she suddenly showed a gentle smile

「If Aruji-sa to accomplish that even by myself」

Saying that, she turned her back at him, and then she looked back with only her head and continued her words

「It's truly unfortunate that I a that wish to devote e at all To proof that, if Aruji-saht now, I'll tell you a secret that I' in reserve It's a talk of a plan──that concern the life or death of this country」

「……A, plan?」

Those words that contained concerning implication caused Lux to ask back with dubious face

「I' forward to it Aruji-saain next──」

But, Yoruka didn't answer Lux's question and sloalked away

At the same time the surface of Yato no Kami shi+ned That fraure vanished

「Is that one of the functions of specially equipped type Drag-Ride Drake──the cae effect?」

When Celis ilant expression altogether

「Troublesoe ability's performance will drop drastically, even so──」

「Right……」

Lux nodded at Krulcifer's

Under the darkness, if she fought while using caeous for them

Yoruka was fighting sith to Lux

「So, she is waiting in the capital Don't tellto come out in the international tournament?」

Lisha grumbled that with a displeased expression In respond Philuffy whispered「I wonder」 and she dispelled the ar

Krulcifer who saw that also dispelled her arhed

「But, that girl doesn't look like the type of person ill joke around It's a bit concerning regarding that point Whether it's about her stateain, or about that some kind of plan too──」

「……You're right」

A girl ore to destroy the new kingdo will of Arcadia Empire

Perhaps they would fight her once on Battle

Lux took a deep breath and looked up to the sky where the curtain of night had been lowered

The devilish crescent ed with shadow

That existence that seeirl called Yoruka was silently looking down on him

Part 5

Two hours after Yoruka exited the first city block

At an abandoned building at the outskirt of Cross Field where there was no sign of people

Yoruka arrived nearby an aging and crureen moss

「Have you finished your greeting to the chores loving ruined prince, youto be loyal subject?」

Right after Yoruka dispelled Yato no Kareeted her

Looking up, there was a robed figure standing on the dilapidated house's roof

It was the Black Marketer who in these few years had wandered fro weapon to various country and secretly maneuvered various incidents

It was a girl na's ist

Yoruka had finished confir the radar that Yato no Ka-Ride possessed

「Yes, it's just as I expected, he is a person worthy to be the next empe