Volume 5 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Episode 2: The Night Before All-Dragon Battle

Part 1

It was thetwo days later after Yoruka appeared in front of Lux and caused a disturbance

Finally Lux and others departed to the capital for the sake of the international tournaon Battle

Using horse carriage, they passed through four checking stations for three whole days before they finally arrived there

The royal capital Lordgalia

After the old empire perished, it was rebuilt Its naed and noas the biggest city of the new kingdom

The castle town, a metropolis that continued toward the enormous palace was separated into seventeen blocks, far h

So that it was possible for the city to be self-sufficient, industry, agriculture, com up with regularity that was a marvel

Arcadia Empire that possessed several hundred years of history, all of its technology and assets were s of this city, even now after five years since the edom, it still remained as scenery

「It has also been really long since I'm here」

Entering the high class inn of the capital that they reserved, Lisha sat down on the sofa at the entrance and muttered so

Perhaps because of the long travel, the other selection members entered their allotted room to take some rest it seemed

「During the summer vacation, it see back to their home in the capital(here) you know? It seeon Battle, if you're lucky you ht cross each other in the city somewhere」

Headmaster Relie ent out of her roo that, Lux's little sister as nearby──Airi was showing a complicated expression

「Rather than talking about that, it's a wonder that the governroup」

「……Well, it was just barely At any rate, on top of getting a scolding of a lifeti quiet a lot of fine Currently I'm not behind the bar is solely thanks to my current position and money」

「It's not really soh……」

After Lux retorted at Relie as showing a complicated smile, an aard atmosphere flowed

The training cao

There the headation without perovernment in the capital in order to save her little sister Philuffy

It seeal act was questioned and there was a really intense exchange between her and the capital's government

But, in order to avoid on Battle that was approaching close, currently her punishment was put on hold

For the tiiven to her temporarily

「Well, because of that I was made to transport 『that』 which was hidden in the acade instead that I don't need to e it more than this」

「──『That』?」

Lux reacted to Relie's whisper

「……Ahaha, it's nothing Just forget it」

Relie said that with a flustered look along with a stiff wry smile

Now that she mentioned it──Saina who ca for so in the academy He heard about it from Airi, but was this about that?

But, Airi didn'tthat it wasn't any concern of her, Lux too didn't pursue any further

Then, Relie began to talk to varnish over the aardness

「Rather than that, we're finally in the capital, so how about everyone have fun in this city? There is also a festival that will start soon」

「It's the festival for the new kingdo anniversary isn't it?」

When Relie muttered that, Celis who exited frohtly

「It seeo it was called the es has changed Not just that name──but also the festival's content」

As expected froreat nobles, Celis was knowledgeable in various subjects

「Actually I should also coroup, but I'o for a relaxation before the tournament」

Saying that, Relie took out a whole bundle of paper money from her wallet and put it on Lux's hand

「Tha, thank you very much ──Wait, this is too much you know!? We don't need this much!」

「My, is that so? Well, you can just return it later if there is leftover」

As expected frolodom

That sense ofodd jobs for these five years

(Or rather, it will be dangerous instead if we are walking around carrying this h……)

「Co to the capital Lux-kun, can I ask you to guide h the city for a bit?」

While Lux was thinking of such thing, Krulcifer who arrived at the entrance asked him that

「Ah, okay I don't h──」

When Lux was about to agree readily like that,

「Oi! Don't decide that as you please! I also have plan to borrow Lux after this!」

Lisha cut in and the usual quarrel began

「There are also so out, I'll leave that for you to decide a out if you kids are roup with four people at roup, okay?」

With Relie's suggestion, theylottery and it was immediately decided

One group was made of Lux, Lisha, Krulcifer, and Airi

The other group consisted of Celis, Philuffy, Noct, and Sharis

Tillfur who usually took initiative in going outside couldn't participate because her condition broke down frolared resentfully at the other two Triad members

「We will buy a lot of souvenirs for you」

「Uuu……, don't forget okay?」

Lux consoled his dejected class forth into the capital's city

Because the time was still afternoon, it seeo far away

「……A, right right The selection members from other country has also come it seems, so do your best to not cause any trouble before the tournament」

Relie said that at the end Lux and others nodded and exited the inn

「──Then, where should we go first? The place that I want to go first is the Drag-Ride h」

「As always, you don't change at all aren't you…… Don't you have other interest in this rare chance that we have gone as far until the capital?」

「Muu…… Then try saying what do you want to do!? What do you knohen it's your first time here!?」

「Let's see First there are several tailors that are famous even in the capital nearby fro around is also not bad Besides, it will be a bit far but if we go to the national park, there will be a s there If you feel a little hungry, there is also a street lined up with stalls right there──the district of craftss like watch accessories or special handicraft──」

「Wai, wait a second Krulcifer! Isn't this your first ti to the capital!?」

Lisha yelled flusteredly toward the girl as talking continuously without pause

「What I said just now are courses that are co in the capital you kno about you also do a little investigation so that you have so to talk with the other nobles too?」

「Kuh……!? Back at you, you actually don't need any guide right froirl, that was just your excuse to invite Lux!」

Lisha spontaneously yelled when she saw Krulcifer telling her like that with a cool tone

She was inadvertentlyin the capital at the past

「Then for now, should we leave it to Krulcifer-san?」

As expected, even Airi too didn't seeeable about the capital's layout In the end they had fun in the capital's street following Krulcifer's escort

Part 2

A few hours later

They went around a lot more places than they expected and by this time the sun had already went down completely

Lux and others, the four people were taking dinner in a large eatery nearby the main street

As expected fro place that had existed for many years in the capital, theto co about their day but──

「Oi oi, I beg you lad Don't sleep in this kind of place! Also you're drinking too much」

When they were thinking to leave soon, they could hear the troubled voice of the owner from the corner

「Ain't no one is slee─ping here…… Just shut up and bring more sake here─ Munya……」

Awith a tone that was obviously dead drunk from anyone's point of view

His age was still young The young man's trait was his dull blonde forelock that was bristled up as though frayed, and his sanpaku eyes (TN: Eyes with visible white between the iris and the lower eyelid)

He earing durable looking black shi+rt and trouser

Within that simple appearance, it was only the rustic silver sword belt on his waist that was standing out

Looking only fro, but perhaps because of his child-face that had no ill-will in it, he didn't give that bad of an impression

「To begin with, are you in the age that can drink alcohol huh lad? You look really young」

「It's oka─y My principle is 『reckless challenge』 yeah…… Being reckless without conservativeness is what gonna open the new path──uppuh」

「You're over your limit there!? By the way lad, you look like a traveler, but where are you come from?」

「Who care─s, just pour more drink After all I cannot drink back home see─…… I'm told today is a rare festival in the capital yea─? Don't be so stingy─」

「The nation founding anniversary is still two ot money on you?」

When the young hed and asked

Lisha beside Lux whispered in exasperation while watching that scene from distance

「I thought that only nobles came to the capital, but there are also quite a lot of country bumpkin huh」

「Your voice is loud you know, princess」

When Krulcifer chided curtly like that, an incident occurred

「Look here, even like this I got money y'know─ I earned a lot from my work──」

The young man took out a wallet from his trouser's pocket Thealcohol behind him stood up and moved suddenly

Drunkenness reflexively vanished fro man's expression and his hand reached at his sword's handle

But, when the ed man reached out at the wallet, the man snatched it in the blink of eye and vanished to outside the restaurant

After a tense moment, a small commotion filled the restaurant

「Aah-ah, he got you there lad That kind of fellow ain't someone you usually find in the capital, but robber who came here in this kind of time from various place y'know」

With a co man whose wallet was stolen

Lux who had experience doing odd jobs many times at the capital had recollection of it

Before and after the country founding anniversary or the tournaon Battle, the population of the capital that was already a lot even under normal circumstances would increase explosively

nobles and travelers would gather to watch the event fron countries

And then, the robbers would also gather into the capital, ai for their wallet

But, the capital was different froh its size was vast but there was unexpectedly few hiding place there

The streets were systematic due to the wisdom from the past in order to be able to corner hostile individual and captured them

「……I'll go for a bit」

Lux pulled back his chair with a clatter and stood up

「Oi wait, where are you going Lux!? Don't tell me──」

When Lisha called out in surprise, Lux was rushi+ng out of the restaurant

「I can predict where the thief will escape in general, so everyone go back first to the inn!」

Lux only said that and then ran out without giving the girls any time to stop him

Chasing after the man's footsteps and presence, Lux moved from the main street into a complicated back alley

When he arrived at the end of a gloomy alley soht there

「Chih! Soht up already, but──」

The ht as a -Ride and wore it

Because using Drag-Ride in the capital would stand out, this was so that took Lux by surprise

However, if the thief could escape for the moment to the sky, it would be hard to catch him when he went away from the capital

「──Coon of crest Obey ht, Wyvern」

This is the first ti-Ride since he used Over Limit

His use of Wyvern also doubled as light rehabilitation, but physically it was as though there was no problem at all

(……I can do this!)

Lux ascertained the sensation of wearing Drag-Ride while flying in pursuit of the thief's flying Wyvern

The thief held his breath for an instant in order to further accelerate his Drag-Ride

Lux didn't overlook that opening and he lifted up his Scale Blade, it was then,

「──Oi prince, I'll be first okay?」

A voice with a tone that had peculiarwith it, the thief's Wyvern in front of him was struck down

There an unfa-Ride with countless scale-like ar stance with a Blade that was strangely curved

(This is──!)

It was a -Ride user that was rarely seen other than Lux himself

Because feher than -Ride that was difficult to control and consuhout the world, but──this young man, even in his co-Ride with precision and knocked down the enemy in an instant

「Gu, gahah……a!」

The knocked down thief writhed from the impact and he didn't look like he could take anymore action

The blonde young man who saw that was about to deal additional attack below him

「I'onna kill you cause it'll be troublesome, but I'll at least take both your arms」

The large Blade with strange curve was going to sever the thief's ar man proclaimed, but then──,

GIIN!

The blade was deflected along with a high-pitched metallic sound

Lux's Scale Blade blocked the Blade that they youngdown

「──Stop This person cannot less」

The young man's eyes opened wide for a moment in surprise, but he soon stared at Lux with an ironic wry smile

「That's really naïve, prince That line is really unthinkable co from the survivor of that Arcadia Empire's imperial family that was extolled as inhuman yeah」

Contrary to his words, the young man obediently dispelled his armor and sheathed back his Sword Device into his sword belt

Because the thief had already fainted, Lux also dispelled his arilantly

And then, oncehim still with a smile on his face

「You know? About me──」

「You're a bit of celebrity at the neighboring country y'know? Even a slacking guy like me know that much」

The young aze caused Lux to tense up his expression too

Arcadia Empire reached out its hand not only within its vast territory, but also to the surrounding territorial water and island At the time various skirmishes happened repeatedly with

There were still ainst the imperial family that was the main culprit of that

When strange silence and strained at between the two──,

「Oooi! What are you doing, Greifer!」

A bit high soprano voice resounded in the back alley the tere at

The one who arrived was a young ynous face

「Aaa-aa The troublesouy came…… I'll introduce hi reat Coral-sama」

「What stupid thing you're saying! Just how many times I told you already not to draw your Sword Device inside the capital!?」

The young rily at Greifer before turning toward Lux

「Are you all right Lux!? You are weak right now, that's why forcing yourself is──」

Lisha and others ca the duo facing Lux

「What do we have here, the selectioneh Hey there」

「You tho are you……」

When Lisha questioned with a slightly tense voice, Greifer showed a sarcastic smile

「Ain't introducing fro to do? But yeah certainly, I ain't this country's person……gofuh!」

Ba hit from Coral on his back

As though to replace hi man called Coral moved to stand before Lux and others

「Please forgive ue's rudeness We are the selection members of Vanheim Dukedom Nice to meet all of you」

The young esture Lux and others faltered for a moment

「He is our leader, Greifer My naive us for causing a ruckus」

It seemed that different fro man named Coral was really amicable

「We don't need to apologize here Coral In the first place, I' my wallet──」

「It's forbidden to drink alcohol at our expedition destination isn't it, Greifer? I'll tell about this matter to the instructor later I think that this ti as your punishment, so you better prepare yourself」

「Uwaa!? What are you gonna do if we lose the All-Dragon Battle because of this huh!? Oi Coral! Think again about it──」

Coral shut the fussing Greifer'sLux and others once more

「I'm sorry to bother you, but can I ask everyone to take care of the thief sleeping there?」

Lux took a step forward toward the aardly s Coral and replied

「Yes We will hand hiuards Perhaps that ill be less troublesos」

「Thank you Well then, ill have to trouble you with that」

「Ah, the wallet…… It was falling there」

「Ah, I'm sorry But, we've been a bother to everyone, so──please, I hope everyone can have a nice dinner with this」

Coral said that while taking out several piece of paper money from Greifer's wallet

「Oi! Don't take out other's ──」

Coral ignored the protesting voice from behind him and offered the money to Lux with a smile, but,

「We didn't do anything, so it's fine Rather than that, so like this happened out of nowhere, but if you could please not hate the new kingdolad」

Coral's eyes instantly opened wide after hearing Lux's words that were said with a wry smile

「……It's surprising」

Coral whispered that accompanied with a small admiration

「Eh……?」

「You are completely different fro」

Coral said that with a sht hand toward Lux quietly

For a esture, but when he understood that it was for handshake, Lux responded Coral grasped his hand back sly

His androgynous handsohtly

Instantly, heat flickered and burned his brain, as though electricity was flowing behind his yes

His consciousness was getting farther away, as though he was suddenly entering inside a sandstorm

「……Is so?」

「Ah, no It's nothing──」

Lux iht after he spoke to him, and the pain settled down

Lux wondered just what in the world that was just now

「Then, let's on Battle」

Coral brought the talk to finish like that and he took away Greifer from the back alley

Lux finally breathed out in relieve At that uards quietly arrived in front oh him

「Oi Lux You were holding that guy's hand for really long there……I'll say this just in case, that guy just now is a man you know?」

Lisha said that to hiaze that looked doubtful

「I, I know that That much is──」

「It's unexpected that Lux-kun has interest in that direction It's no wonder that your reaction is weak against my advance」

「Wai-!? Even Krulcifer-san, just what are you saying!?」

「You're panicking like thataside the joke──they are formidable enemy aren't they?」

Airi concluded like that while taking a final shot at Lux while she was at it

Lux was also in agree that

「Especially that one as called Greifer, if I reon Paladin』 of Vanheim Dukedom」

「……Seven Dragon Paladin?」

「That kind of talk was suddenly announced while Lux-kun was forced to bed」

When Lux tilted his head in puzzleht him what it was about

「The talk is about for to oppose the threat of Abyss that is increasing every year About the Seven Dragon Paladin, they are the Drag-Knights where each country will select one person as their representation in that organization」

After hearing the further detail from Airi, it seeon Paladin was selected, but there were already several countries that put out their candidate's name

「That guy's personality is a bit like that but, he looks troublesoo back, I'm sleepy」

「You're right」

Lisha yawned 'fua' with a cute gesture Lux sreement

After that they went back straight to the inn without stopping anywhere and retired to bed

Part 3

At the territorial waters slight distance away frodom

At that place that had a lot of reef and even fishi+ng boat couldn't approach, a huge building was hidden within the cover of fog

Inside──countlessup in a spacious space Several silhouettes were there

One was a silver haired girl wearing jet black robe──Hayes

A blue hairedat her side, Mishi+s

The last was a tall and slender il

「The entire plan is progressing favorably, but can I ask you to rethink it again, your highness Hayes?」

「……What is?」

When the maid called Mishi+s addressed her, Hayes responded while still lying prostrated on the round table at the center

「Certainly its necessary to offer your blood andWeapon), but as I thought it's too reckless Even if bring thehly until the root, but if your life is──」

「So what?」

When Hayes responded with a displeased look, Fugil as standing while leaning on the wall until noalked toward the table at the center

「She is hness the ireatest pawn that is necessary for the 『idrasil was defeated Of course, if we invest our whole war potential, it'll be possible to defeat thehness will be forced to lose a lot of your time as the compensation of that」

「……Oi Fugil When your parent's eneet happy with that?」

「Unfortunately, I'le relative」

Fugil smoothly answered Hayes's question that was mixed with irritation inside

But, Hayes ignored that and showed a distorted wicked smile on her lips

「A low-life like you won't get it, but if it's e has worth only if you do it by your own hand and nobody else Hiring a hitfor chance until he is killed by so like that has no value at all If I don't drag out those guys in front of ot anyat all!」

Hayes's asymmetrically colored eyes snapped wide open and she yelled

「That's──」

「Stop there, don't give me any pointless talk It's a story you cannot possibly understand For the lowest and worst traitor who cut down all those bunches who can even be called as your blood relative──」

Fugil returned a fearless smile at the words that Hayes spat out

「……Get it? I won't borrow your hand in e You just work like slave until you die like usual for the sake of our eiven to you who is of that family」

「By your will Without any doubt, I am an ally of all of you」

Hayes scowled seeing the huil

Almost at the same tiirl came in

It was a girl with ears that looked like bird feather, wearing an unfamiliar outfit

「The Artifact's activation as well as the tuning of the Divine Drag-Ride is completed, my lord(creator)」

The girl informed with no pause between her words and robotic voice that didn't contain emotion

「──Can it work? Gear Leader El Fajura That's including the two original special functions that you have」

「It's possible to execute as planned」

After the girl called El Fajura nodded, Hayes's lips crooked into a smile and she stood up

「I see, then we'redesire and retake that」

Hayes reached her hand toward the small half-sphere object at the middle of the round table

Instantly that half-sphere was tinged with faint light Lines of light were circulating along the floor and wall like spider web that was spreading from the center

Right after that, the wall itself fiercely shook and the exterior startedon the whole

Part 4

On the other side, the capital at night

After Lux and co returned to the high class hotel they reserved, the reunited selection athered at the entrance

Perhaps because she had received a lot of souvenir, or perhaps because she had rested properly, Tillfur had recovered her liveliness That was soood but──

「Then without delay, let's have Lux-kun announce who is the girls who has worked hard at the training camp the other day and will receive the prize」

「──Eh!?」

The very first sentence that Relie spoke out caused Lux's

It seeirls too, because everyone stiffened simultaneously

「My, everyone is cold isn't it? Didn't you all work hard at the training camp for this?」

「N, no……, that's, well it's true but」

Even Tillfur ould nor with a so

Lux too had cootten about it until now, but certainly there was such promise between him and everyone

It was a competition between thecamp in Ries Island, about ould be the one who could safely coiven to them