Volume 5 Chapter 2 (2/2)

The first three nanment first would be able to specially make individual request to Lux as their reward, that was the promise (that Relie arbitrarily decided), but──

「Actually, the plan was to i camp, but then Lux-kun was really tired, and the situation also didn't allow it And so, can I ask you to announce the result here」

「Uu……」

Everyone's gaze gathered on Lux after Relie's words Lux hesitated to speak

He reflexively wanted to say 「Can I say it later?」, but seeing the eyes of the members around him that were filled with expectation and nervousness, it didn't look like he could escape

He took a deep breath, then he recalled the training scene at the training cairls after they returned to Cross Field

「Then──eerr, first is……」

And then he announced the three na about it

Part 5

「──Even so, I wonder what kind of business Lux-chi is called for? What's ht~」

「Who knows Well, it's a sue I think」

Inside one roo, Tillfur'swas answered by Sharis

The three ether on the bed inside the roo her sleepas tilting her head in puzzlement

Only a few ht after Lux announced the three naer from the castle arrived at the inn that the selection

Lux and Airi were the ones suovernment had an important talk with them

「However it's unfortunate isn't it? For Tillfur too, even though you worked that hard, you weren't selected as one of the three」

「Uwaaa……don't say it please, it ……」

Tillfur's expression was clouded frohed

「Yes ──But, I did everything I could, Sharis and Tillfur too I judged that there is nothing for us to feel shame about」

Noct as reading book quietly whispered that with her expressionless look unchanging

「This is pretty h After all I' the assignment ──I lost completely But rather than that, it's unexpected that even Noct also wanted the prize」

「No I don't really have any request that I want to ask fro it's unfortunate Because Lux-san's instruction and assignment were accurate」

「It doesn't matter anymore~ It's over anyway for use──」

When Tillfur rolled around sulkily, Noct sent her an exasperated gaze

「No ──The crucial on Battle in the capital──it will be great if nothing happen」

「You're right Let us do e can do Also, don't complain at Lux-kun okay? After all the one who is alorking the hardest is none other than him」

After the leader Sharis concluded like that in the end, Tillfur and Noct didn't raise anymore voice of complain

「Oh, even though it's already this ti to rain isn't it?」

Sharis suddenly muttered so when she stared at theoutside

Ahead of her gaze were the la in the capital that were numbered far more compared to Cross Field

Part 6

「──And, to start off To congratulate this critical juncture that is the fifth year since the founding of the new kingdom, I……haa, I'm tired」

On the other hand, inside another individual roo a document

Because they reserved the inn, they could choose to share room with someone, but Lisha wanted to spend her time alone just for today

The largish note in Lisha's hand contained the writing for her greeting at the new kingdo anniversary

Until now LIsha avoided her work as a princess as much as possible, but this time she couldn't do that and she reluctantly consented

「Even so, just why didn't Lux choose ht in order to ieez」

She was dissatisfied that she wasn't chosen anment and received the reward to make request, but because Lux had already coht that it couldn't be helped

'Fuu', Lisha leaked out a s her sleepwear

「It's depressing doing this public greeting From the start I don't have the awareness as a princess, and yet──」

Even so, she could run away from the matter and responsibility before her

「We, well but……to announce about that thing with Lux, as expected, I have to do this greeting huh」

Lisha i cheeks before she muttered somewhat brusquely

She had already received the consent from her stepmother Queen Raffi too

She heard that half of the capital's consuls were in opposition, but it seemed that it was somehow accepted

If it went as planned, the founding anniversary the day after tomorroould become the day where she would officially announce it

「──I can't wait With this Lux will becoht」

She whispered as though to test how it sounded and she ruminated the words

The hapless fate where the existence of old empire stole her position before she was then placed on the seat of the princess of the new kingdom

Because of that chronology and upbringing, she was unable to fadom's princess

The one who saved her froht as her enemy, the prince of the old empire Lux That hy it was a mysterious fate at work

「Besides, he was also considerate tocamp before He is really kind」

Lisha's lips slackened abruptly She laid down on the feathers bed and looked up to the ceiling

「……But that lance, but he is really a pervert It's a bit uneasy with hiht」

Lisha whispered such thing while lightly closing her eyes and thought about Lux

If she showed so in that area as a 『woman』, Lux would surely feel satisfied wouldn't he?

『Tha, that's── Lisha-sah it's small statured, but it's fe it excited me……』

「……Uwah!? Aeez!」

After Lisha recalled a past conversation, she yelled with a bright red face and she came back to her senses

「──Come back quickly already, Lux」

Lisha slowly put her hand on her chest while she whispered with her eyes closing

Part 7

In another different room──

Inside that rooh class hotel, Krulcifer was changing into her sleephile co her hair in front of a mirror

Because Krulcifer's hoious country Yon Battle, the maid of Einfolk family, Alterize would also coh a letter

At the training ca her decisive blow insufficiency

Her highly accuratedistance Rifle, and her offense and defense that wasuse of Fafnir's arma

She was strong enough with just that Even in the capital's tournament, it could be asserted that there was almost no one who could best Krulcifer

But, she had a weak point Her attack was light

She would be fairly in advantage if she could attack the Force Core of ene-Ride with her accurate shot, but in real battle it wouldn't go that conveniently

If she was facing against Drag-Ride that possessed powerful barrier like Azi Dahaka──or an Abyss that was resistance against ice ability appeared, her offensive option would be severely limited

She also could handle other weapon like Blademove

After they returned to the acadenht to make a special request to Lux

If it was seen just froood result, but──,

「This situation, it's not so that I can really be happy about without reserve」

She let out a sh and laid down on the bed face up

She was looking up to the ceiling that was still neithout a single stain on it while recalling Lux's statement

He said that he would becodom's princess, Lizsharte

「Perhaps, I' at this a bit too naively」

If Lux was forht, he would be repeatedly recruited to Lisha's official business And depending on the situation, he would be attending Lisha constantly

Of course, while they were still military cadet eren't burdened with that much official business, there wouldn't be that much turn for that

But, she couldn't erase the feeling that the other side had overtaken her by a step

「──I wonder if I too has beco up appearances」

Krulcifer s herself

Lux himself had a codom and the old empire Most likely he hi to accomplish

Just like Krulcifer ished to know about the true identity of herself who came from the Ruin

Because of that she was thinking to deepen her relationshi+p with Lux by respecting his will that wanted to becoth at the present, but──

「To be unable to say what I want to do if there is no reason I too haven't changed」

Krulcifer was deriding herself like that with a cool smile before she woke up

She was the only human that was discovered inside a Ruin

She was taken and raised inside other people's family She was an outsider that was shunned by that family

That hy she worked hard to be recognized After that effort ended in vain, she tried to live without relying on anyone, but,

「Perhaps, this is the first ti to rely on a person」

She silently whispered so and spread the map of the capital on her desk

The diligent Krulcifer had already memorized the simple sketch of the area around the block they were currently at, but she was jotting down even more detailed information by hand

Yesterday she was able to escort Lux and others without hesitation was also the fruit of her hard work of properly doing the preliation

「I' forward to the anniversary the day after tomorrow」

She whispered with a voice that no one could hear

She had already decided the content of the special request she would make to Lux

Part 8

And then, in further another room, where Philuffy, Celis, and Relie, the three people were sharing room

There was still empty room in the hotel, but Celis didn't choose a private room and stayed at the same room with Philuffy and Relie There were several reasons for this

One, she was asked by Relie herself to be her observer because she had caused trouble last time

The other reason because Relie orried about the Abyss factor residing inside Philuffy's body

About that itself there wasn't any particular probleer problem than that

「This is……a bit troubling」

Celis whispered after opening the letter that was handed froer who arrived just now and confirmed the content

It was a secret reat nobles, Celis's father──Dist Ralgris

「My, it's rare for soht with us, then please let us take part in consultation but──」

Philuffy at the neighboring bed also nodded in response to Relie's statement

The gaze of Philuffy who lifted up her upper body on the bed was directed on a book page regarding business company

「N, no, this is, that's……it's about so that I should resolve myself」

Celis answered in panic before her gaze returned to the letter from her father on her bed

The content of the letter talked about Ralgris house wanting to invite the criminal Lux to their house for once in order to protect his position

Further than that, the letter also commanded Celis to make use of her relation with Lux in Syvalles tothey would participate in, and also for Celis herself to proactively give Lux guidance

「Wha, what could this be about? As expected, for ris's house is──, it make my heart beat fast for some reason」

When Celis unconsciously raised her voice in reaction to that description, Rleie as sleeping inside the saed

「N, no…… It's nothing at all so……!」

Celis was

(Really, just what could Chichi-ue possibly think……) (TN: Chichi-ue = a more archaic way to call father)

She talked to her father about the case of Lux beco the member of the acadehtly strange

For a noble to invite outsider into their house had quite the

Especially if the one doing it was one of the four great nobles, for Dist who had brought to her several talk about engage Lux to their house, it was so unlikely under usual circumstances

Was he trying to involve Lux into so trouble?

Or else, could it possibly be──

「Tha, that's soht me a lot about male…… Ce, certainly he is alike be, betrothal, as expected it's still too──」

gata-! At that moment Relie stood up from her bed with a pale expression

「That talk──can you tell me about it in more detail, Celis-san?」

「N, no! Just now is et about it for me!」

Celisshed deeply

「……I see No ard of love, but I've been a bit careless And, what are you going to do about your request toward Lux-kun?」

Relie suddenly questioned like that In respond Celis was,

「Fo, for now, I have to consult about a certainto ask hion Battle」

「I see──the All-Dragon Battle's recess, thatanniversary At that day, you will go in a date with Lux while progressing the talk until betrothal What a really terrifying plan……!」

「Just what are you talking about headmaster!? It's not like I──」

Relie whose thought was heated up evento the front of Philuffy as already looking sleepy

「Phi Until noas preparing an environment that was like in the past for you and Lux-kun so that you two can slowly deepen your relationshi+p while expecting Lux-kun to commit a mistake, but──now that it has come to this there is no other way」

「Heade words that are terribly unwholesoh……?」

Celis retorted with a complicated look, but Relie didn't pay it any mind and called out to Philuffy

「I wonder what should you ask Lux-kun for with the special request? Preparing an environment where you can approach him more proactively is──」

「Onee-chan Noisy」

Relie stiffened into a statue hearing the sudden word that Philuffy whispered with her unchanging serious look

Philuffy's tone was indifferent like usual, so it didn't sound like she was particularly angry, but as expected Relie still received a shock

「I, I'm sorry Phi But, it's not like I want to trouble you and Lux-kun Rather it's, I want to help just for a bit, for the sake of the future of you two──」

「I, already decided, my request to Lu-chan」

Her expression and tone were absentminded like usual

However, she asserted so without any hesitation After that Philuffy's gaze dropped to the book once more

「Phi You've grown……」

Perhaps sensing so from Philuffy's attitude, Relie stared at Philuffy deeply moved

「How should I say it, I wish to be permitted to move to another room tomorrow……」

Celis also took a deep breath after watching that scene with a complicated expression

「Date, is it…… That, I heard that it is so with a ht, that will make me nervous」

Celis averted her face from Relie and Philuffy and whispered softly so that she wouldn't be heard

The youngthe shackle that was the sin and righteousness she was burdened with

Because of Relie'sinside her mind on its own accord

(A, as I thought this thinking isn't wholesome──it's not permitted)

I a date with Lux, Celis covered her own lips in panic with her sheet

Part 9

Around the same time

While the girls were thinking about what they should do with the reward of special request──Lux and Airi passed through the castle gate and stepped inside the castle

The hustle and bustle of people reon Battle that would start to anniversary the day after that

Lux rapped with strange nervousness when he entered inside the castle after almost five years

The chalk white structure that were inherited fro since the era of old eovernment office

Inside the spacious assereat number of consuls were already assembled

The seating was placed to left and right in stair shape A red carpet was laid down on the pathway

Lux and Airi were standing on a platform at the lowest level──where they were stared down fro them

「Youtravel, former Arcadia Empire's seventh imperial prince Lux Arcadia And then his little sister Airi Arcadia」

「We have arrived in accordance to the invitation」

Lux responded like that to the consuls addressing him and bowed

Their seating was enveloped in ultra, he couldn't see the face of everyone there

Originally their face should be visible But for Lux as co of the new kingdom, he didn't even know most of their face and name

「So, what business do you have with us?」

Airi as behind Lux asked the question with a voice that was slightly tinged with nervousness

The er who came to their inn before this only told them 『It's an important talk』

At that point it was undeniable that it was suspicious, but seeing thislike this, that suspicion turned into conviction

「What a hasty young lady ──Well, certainly it's the night before the All-Dragon Battle, it will be pitiful totalk Oi, prime minister-dono」

The one who urged on with such large voice was a big reat nobles, a riser

Even Lux asn't that knowledgeable about the politic in the new kingdoreat nobles' feudal lords who controlled the vast territory in the four directions since the era of the old empire

Even their personality and their way of doing thing

「Do you remember my face? I'm the prime minister who serves as the aide of herthe two of you here like this is just as you suspected, because ish you to listen to an important matter that still cannot be disclosed to the people of this country 『I Republic」

Lux and Airi's expression changed from Prime Minister Nulph's words

「A notice has co, we understand the specific of the plan It see will enforce it The plan will be carried out before long──perhaps even right after the end of this All-Dragon Battle They will take advantage of the opening when the security of the new kingdom will be short of hand」

Nulph was reading from the document on his hand dispassionately

「But, Heiburg's troops won't attack directly The reht asylum there and wished for the restoration of Arcadia Eleader at the surface」

「The rebel ardom So that means, don't tell me……」

Airi whispered with a tre voice Prime Minister Nulph nodded silently to that

「It's just as you sur's pet, the rebel army take down the capital, it will beco'sthat we have to avoid at all cost」

──The remnants of the old empire

In other words this was the rebel ardom

Their objective was to destroy the pillar of the new kingdom and then bloomed a second ti used by Heiburg Republic's dom

Furthermore it was obvious that the Black Marketer Hayes was deeply involved in this

「The supre's pawn is, a reed Forus I believe?」

「──Eh?」

A hoarse voice abruptly cae of the parliamentary seat

The owner of that voice was one of the four great nobles, Zagha Schultzed Lux reacted to the words he said

Ragreed Forus

He was once a high noble that was in the empire faction, a man as the best friend of Lux's older brother Abel

And then, he was also the oat at the imperial court

Five years ago when the old empire perished, his whereabouts beca──

「Oo, come to think of it, Lux-dono, if I remember correctly──you were acquainted with him I believe? At the surface he is the leader of the rebel ar the whole army to attack here you know?」

The destiny between hireed Forus from their childhood

The y of the old e the rebel army as the supreme commander of the imperial capital recapture plan

But rather than that information itself, it was the fact that this inforht now in this place that made him sensed a certain omen

「And……what do you want me to do?」

「Hohou As expected froed from politic for five years already, but you possess a profound discernment Have you predicted it from e said just now?」

「You ought to stop with the foolish preface, Lord Zagha」

The voice of a gentle out ad

One of the four great nobles, Dist Ralgris

He is the father of Syvalles's captain, Celis

「Just as we explained, this country is in the verge of unprecedented danger In order to prevent that, ish to borrow your strength, as the truainst the imperial capital recapture plan」

「What kind of role I'll have more specifically?」

Lux replied shortly and waited for the answer Dist paused shortly before continuing the talk

「I have heard about your true strength and deeds of arhter Yes, of course I knew about the rumor from the royal capital's tournaht that your strength is to the degree of being able to repulse Ragnarok」

Lux responded to that with silence

At first glance it was a coet carried away and said anything unnecessary

The matter of a seed of Abyss was inserted into Philuffy's body and that the seed's host, Yggdrasil had been defeated were significant secrets that were only know to Lux and co

Abyss was subjugation target by law That law applied not just in the new kingdom, but anywhere

Therefore, he absolutely had to avoid fro careless and caused the secret to become known

「Other than that, I also heard the report that you saved the students many times froainst Lord Barzeride in an one-on-one duel There is already no doubt that you are a prodoed that it is possible if it's you」

Dist stopped his caled his tone into a strict one

「From the scout's report, a hundred Abyss that appears to be the battle strength for the sake of this i in an abandoned village northwest from this royal capital」

「……Wha-!?」

That terrifying information that was said really naturally caused Lux and Airi's body to tremble in shock

Even just several Abyss were hiding strength that could easily destroy a single village without Drag-Ride to oppose them

If several dozen Abyss were raer of destruction in one night just from that

「Is that information──true?」

「For the Abysses to quietly lurking in an abandoned village, there is no doubt that the treasure called 『horn flute』 that was used by a rebel arht down is in use here The execution day of the imperial capital recapture plan will be the next day after the end of the All-Dragon Battle It's necessary for us to be a step ahead of the rebel army and exterminated the Abysses before they can be used to attack here Therefore──」

Dist cut off his words for a azed at Lux, then, he told him

「Lux Arcadia We will have you to take on the role as the decoy to lure all one hundred Abyss」

「Ple, please stop with the joke Lord Dist! That's impossible! No e army is──」

Airi pleaded in panic right after Lux held his breath

But, all the consuls including Dist resu happened

「We have sent a scout to the abandoned village and confirmed that fact This role can only be carried out by you, the Weakest Undefeated──the one who excelled in defense ht And then of course, we don't intent to leave it to you to annihilate all of the Abysses You will lure the Abysses until a hidden fortress located at the north of the new kingdo by there will strike down the Abysses with concentrated fire That's the plan」

「This plan didn't come from my own discretion It's a conclusion that was hammered in a war council that reflected the opinion of her majesty the queen and all the consuls here The execution of thisanniversary We will crush the Abyss swarm that is the keystone of the rebel army's tactic beforehand Also in order to avoid chaos fro a word of this to other people」

'I see', Lux comprehended inside his heart

It was unclear whether these people had grasped as far until the s

Putting aside the intention of the four great nobles, the consuls of the new kingdoth, on top of that──they wished to make the annihilation of the Abysses as the achieve

Lux was selected to take the decoy role for that reason

Arcadia Eht's war potential froth was greatly weakened

The new kingdoht, but as expected, looking at the whole, it was the fact that there was a large gap opened between the new kingdoe countries

There, they wanted to use this chance wherecountries were gathering to deth to the people and all other countries

However, skilled Drag-Knight whou could carry out the decoy role was few in nudom, and no one wanted to lose their own superior pawn

They were trying to use Lux was most likely because of such reason

「If you cooperate with us, the ation by the arbitrary judgment of the head, Relie Aingram, as well as the indiscretion of all of you Syvalles as going along with it in order to save her We won't question those any further I think that this is not a bad deal, but what do you think?」

「That's reckless Lord Dist! My brother's wound is still not fully healed for battle Carrying out that mission by himself is──」

Airi raised her objection against Dist's offer

But,

「──I understand I'll do it」

Lux cal in only a moment and clearly answered like that

「Nii-san!?」

「It's fine Airi」

Lux sently in order to calm the worried Airi

「In the end, this is soe somehow, surely」

Airi faltered to say further fros Then more voice came from the parliamentary seat

「Looks like the talk is finished Then, I'll speak another demand from us」

「Eh……?」

The words of one of the four great nobles Zagha that suddenly carinned sers

「Four win── In order to obtain enough Ruin investigation right, ant you to get at least four win Of course, carrying out the aforementioned decoy role is your top priority still」

「……What could you mean by that?」

When Airi ha's narrow eyes narrowed further and he chuckled with a stifled voice

At the All-Dragon Battle, it would be a round-robin event against each country This time a total of six battles would be carried out

In the recent years, the th quitefour victories there was next to impossible

Nothing could be done about it with just Lux's strength alone but──

「It means exactly like how the words sound It will take some effort to not question the incident we mentioned just now There is also no e can just not question the incident of using the Ruin investigation right without authorization itself Don't worry, I heard that all of you the selectionof powerful people It will be easy to raise four win in the All-Dragon Battle I'ht hard for the sake of victory」

「That's, no h-handed──……-!?」

Airi moaned and she prepared to protest further, but her aze fro seat

The deon Battles following the matter of the decoy role

Lux who had seen the way the old e in the past could easily read their intention of intentionally forcing difficult tasks to him

They were preparing a difficult problem that was hard to accomplish in addition of the decoy role matter was so that in the case he was unable to accomplish one of the tasks, they intended to force another troublesoain someday in the future

They would use this chance to ascertain whether Lux was an existence that was easy to control for the new kingdom or not, and whether he was a beneficial personnel or not If possible they would want to put a collar on him

Not a shred of guilt could be seen from such people was beca