Volume 6 Chapter 4 (1/2)
Episode 4: Second Ruin 『Maze』(Dungeon)
Part 1
At the earlynext day
Lux woke up early before the sunrise and then he headed toward the practice ground inside the round
He had took confirmation from Coral as in the same room with him that it was permitted to use the place The place was eht after the exam also played a part of it
”Now, then……”
After changing into his pilot suit, he wore Wyvern on his body and carried out basic operation as replace up
And then he released the control of tuning just like how Lisha taught him
Several i around hiraphic reflected in them
Originally it was a function that was literally to tune things like the Drag-Ride's output, arhting, but noas deliberately starting up while keeping the function activated
(As I thought, controlling Drag-Ride in tuning mode is, considerably difficult……)
One could concentrate better if inforree
The control of Drag-Ride was already co the fiddling of even its output value in the ree of difficult that was nearly ill-advised
”However──……just a bit more”
After taking a deep breath and fired hi that state on
After around an hour passed with soht rest in between, his stamina finally reached the bottoround
”──Haa, haa……”
He was breathing hard with his shoulders heaving while crouching on the spot Then suddenly he heard footsteps from behind him
The moment Lux stood up to turn around, a toas dropped on his head
”……Wah!?”
Lux's sight was plunged into darkness and he panicked
When he took the soft white towel, there was a familiar face there
”Morning, Lu-chan”
”Ah……”
It was a lovely face that was expressionless and absent in it
Philuffy in pilot suit appearance was standing there
Different from usual, her hair was tied into a short ponytail That appearance looked fresh and surprising
”Phi, Phi-chan Why are you here──?”
”I' Then, I heard Lu-chan's voice, from here”
After saying that with a dispassionate tone, Philuffy slowly took back the towel
”Wai-, what are you doing Phi-chan!?”
”You will catch cold, if you don't properly wipe the sweat, you know?”
Philuffy iping Lux's sweat using the toith serious face and a tone that sounded a bit chiding
But, it was eirl that was his childhood friend to do that much for him, so Lux was flustered
”I, I'm fine you know!? I, it's only this much I can wipe myself alone so──!”
There was no people around, but Lux turned his head left and right to check
”It's okay, I'm finished already”
Philuffy finished her hile he was doing that and she put the towel on Lux's shoulder
Like that she was then staring very still at Lux with her pure eyes
Perhaps because she had just been training, Philuffy's skin and face were slightly flushed, and there was a faint scent of sweat from her They made Lux's heart throbbed fast
Cohs, and other places had grown into an aht of that onceat her face from nearby
”Wha, what's wrong? Is there so on my face──”
”Ei”
”Waah!?”
Lux's body half rotated just fro his arm
In the blink of eye he was made to turn his back on her and he felt bewildered once more
”Wha, what are you doing Phi-chan!? My sweat is already──”
Philuffy's body clung closely on the back of the flustered Lux Then she whispered to him with indifferent tone
”Checking a bit Whether your body, is hurt”
”Yo, you don't need to do that, I'm really not tired! ──Uwah!?”
Honestly speaking, he was on tenterhooks because Philuffy's large breasts were touching his back
When Lux twisted his body to shake her off, his foot got entangled and they fell down together
”Aa……”
Lux leaked out a voice after falling
When his hand reflexively ht below him
”So, sorry-……!]
The large breasts that didn't lose shape even when she was lying down face up flew into his sight, causing Lux's head to boil up
Philuffy as expressionless as usual kept staring at Lux and she suddenly moved her lips
”It's okay, to not endure you know?”
Philuffy's question that was said with her usual serious face made Lux turned stiff
The warlued to him
After getting conscious of that, Lux's heart was pounding hard like an alarm bell, his consciousness turned blank for a moment
”Because Lu-chan, you look like you are brooding over so”
”──Eh?”
After Lux whispered toward those words that suddenly came at him, Philuffy showed a faint smile
”Since the past, Lu-chan would i”
That voice sounded soic
And yet it also sounded somewhat lonely Philuffy formed her words with such voice
”I' your best for our sake, but── It's fine, to be , you know?”
”……Such, thing”
'Isn't true' For some reason he becahtforward gaze
GOOOON Suddenly the sound of large bell that infor at the area
”Oh……, I need to return to my room soon──”
”Right Later, Lu-chan”
They stood up, and then after exchanging only those words, Lux parted with Philuffy and returned to his room
The straightforords of his childhood friend caused ato sprout inside him
Part 2
There was an eency call Almost all the officers as well as the officer cadet ere the exaathered on the Canopy at the upper part of Ruin's Gear's center
The Drag-Knights were lined up In front of thee, where the principality's princess, Milmiette, and theside by side
”Everyone──first, thank you for your hard work in the Class Prodo held for the first tiive a result where we can hope for even better development”
Milreeted formally
But, in contrast with those words, it was as though the atmosphere didn't feel relaxed
”Originally ill break up with this But, just as everyone of the New Kingdom Atismata also knows, recently the appearance rate and the atrocity of the Abyss froeon existing underground this Ruin's Gear is also not an exception”
Mur-Rides looked at each other's face after hearing those words
”Originally, the nueon is fixed, but that nu period, and they will cliinally this kind of situation happen once every few ation that we has increased in this Ruin, the situation is that the Abysses are going to flood out”
The female students who caulped
”Perhaps everyone can already iine it after I talk this far, but I wish to ask the cooperation of everyone fro those Abysses that has been increasing too eon”
After she was speaking that far, the e and spoke out the outline of the mission
The Dungeon that was existing underground the Ruin's Gear
The underground was divided into five levels in total In this mission they would descend down those levels, defeated as many Abyss as possible, and decreased their number
However, in the mission this time, they would only step in until the second level
The reason was because there were few cases where powerful Abyss appeared in low level
”Of course, originally there is no do to pay the corant one more reward for it”
After the grey haired mayor with moustache stepped down, Milmiette continued the talk once more
”The result that everyone raised in this suppression mission will be treated as a special supplementary exam of this time's Class Promotion Exam, and the score will be added into the exam's evaluation”
”……Ooh!?”
The dazzling smile and words of Milmiette caused the depressed officers to lift their face
”Of course, cooperation with every officers and defeating her After all if one neglected to cooperate in their hurry for achievement, they will also fall behind in the real battle Inside the Ruin, the Drag-Knights of our country who are serving as examiner will take the lead It will be our happiness if those with spare energy can come forward and cooperate in this by all means”
Milmiette bowed, then a commotion that somewhat resembled a cheer rose
”Fuu The princess of this country can say a good thing too huh”
Tillfur as beside Lux by chance showed a s that
At the exa in confidence what's with the obstruction in the middle of it too, so she must be relieved inside her heart for this chance
The subjugation would be done by tea into the third level was forbidden
It seeh the Dungeon was vast and deep, but because the passage itself wasn't that wide, roup would be obstructive
This suppression mission would be performed for around three hours
Of course, continuously operating Drag-Ride through all that time would be ieon, or outside
Everyone gathered comrades and prepared, then at the lobby they would apply for participation as teaather under the Canopy──in front of the spiraling corridor that continued toward the Gate underground, and they would enter in order froot the permission first
”It seems that the content of the suppleth is cooperation”
Sharis of Triad as listening to the talk froht nearby called out like that to her comrades Tillfur and Noct
Right at that ti, Noct as there met Lux's eyes
”Ah……”
The other day they parted without hi to her Lux was troubled about how he should greet her
(What should I say, that can assure her……?)
While he was hesitating in front of her with such thinking──,
”GoodLux-san Were you hurt from the exam yesterday?”
”Ah, I, I'm fine I'm completely──”
Unexpectedly it was Noct herself who broached the topic about the exaht would be hard to talk with her
”Is that so, I was a bit worried”
”Eh……?”
Lux tilted his head in puzzlement Noct spoke with her usual calm expression
”Yes We are talking about Lux-san who is kind to girl here, so you will surely think about variousdown I orried whether you would be lacking in sleep because of that”
”N, no, it's not like I was thinking that──”
Noct's exactly right guess caused Lux to object with red face
”Is that so, that's unfortunate It doesn't matter that I am the roommate of your little sister, the h in your mind that much isn't it?”
”Tha, that's not true That, I orried──about the matter of all of you the Triad”
Noct looked at Lux with contemptuous eyes when he said that with an earnest tone
“Yes As expected you were thinking about that kind of thing weren't you? Surely it's aour body to console──”
”Just what kind of person Noct think I am!?”
When Lux retorted in panic, Noct's expression suddenly loosened
”I'ht that Lux-san would be troubled, that you were unable to help me in the exam the other day”
”I was just concerned about you, but instead I made you worried!?”
”Yes Being considerate to the surrounding is the duty of Leaflet fae of servant I still cannot lose against Lux-san”
The girl as his junior shtly at the exhausted Lux and she said that to him
”Okay, oka─y Then ill prepare as well Lux-chi too, let's ain inside the Ruin”
As soon as thein
”Ah, that──can you allow ether too?”
Hearing this, the Triad members were speechless for a moment with their eyes snapped wide open
”E, eh……? Is it, no good……?”
Seeing Lux being troubled, Sharis grabbed Lux's head into her underarm
”Wah……!?”
Due to the posture, Lux's face hit Sharis's chest His face suddenly heated up
Her body was toned, with the sensation of soft breast pressed on him
And frorance that tickled Lux's nose alluringly
”Fuh…so even that innocent Lux has become very proactive You truly want to make all three of us fall for you, don't you?”
Sharis said that jokingly with a mischievous smile
”Wa ha haa, Lux-chi is so bold As expected a boy is really different eh─”
”Yes, Lux-san too is finally developing a great interest in girls I judged that it's ation to report this to Airi”
”I, I said it's not true!? I don't have that kind of strange ulterior motive, I just──”
Even Tillfur and Noct got into the joke and Lux became even more panicked, it was then,
”We truly understand Thank you for worrying about us”
Sharis released Lux fro his chest
”But, only this ti to rely on you at another chance For now, please go to the other girls who are waiting for you”
”Okay…… Then everyone, be careful”
With soreed and slowly left
After he talked with Lisha and others about the grouping, Lux returned to the lodging house for once to see Airi's face
Part 3
”Fuh, it soreed to this, you do not have any regrets, Tillfur, Noct?”
Sharis was seeing off Lux's back while speaking to her two compatriots
”Yes, we hope that we don't add to Lux-san's burdens by more than this”
”Actually, I was really happy though…… He is properly worrying about us too──”
With a joyful and lonely expression, Tillfur sighed
While Airi was alone in her dorirls made some plans in advance
In order to help Lux, the three decided to distance themselves instead from him
Although it was because of Buzzhein and added with a coincidence, it still resulted in the down Lux at the Class Promotion Exam
If they who didn't even have the strength to skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride were near Lux, they would become a hindrance to him
The words that Singlen said at the exam yesterday stabbed the chest of the Triad
To re-evalute their strength again fro, the three decided not to request Lux's assistance and fought by themselves
”But, Ibad towards Tilfur I stole away the tiether with him”
Sharis spoke teasingly
”Wai-……!? Sharis yourself, even though just now you pushed your breast on Lux-chi!”
”Yes, I think that's quite bold of Sharis ……In fact, you like Lux-san, correct?”
”──Fuh I was just giving hiratitude No, though it's not a mistake that I'm pleased with him”
ie
”Is that really true～…… ? Sharis, even though she has been putting act as a big sis but she is actually pure, so she is unexpectedly weak against straight advance though~, ……and she like younger one too”
”Yes, although we are childhood friends, this is the first ti towards a man”
“… We, well, tiet back to the topic on hand”
Sharis's face was slightly reddening froh and Noct's fixed stare She then h
“Our goal is to accoo and do e can with our all”
Sharis repeated the instructions froly
The three of thear that was borrowed from Ruin's Gear
Part 4
”Airi, are you in there?”
After knocking gently on the door and hearing a”Come in,” Lux entered the room
Exuding her usual cold at
”Is so to join the aforementioned suppression mission aren't you? Isn't it better to quickly prepare?”
”Ahaha…… No, there is so that troubled me a bit”
Saying that, he talked about how after he was rejected fro the Triad, he went to where Lisha and others were
Lux was thinking to group with Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, or Celis who he got along ith and belonged to Syvalles together, but Instructor Raigree as there told him that he was forbidden to accompany them
The instructor said,
“On the surface the task is officially to destroy the Abyss, but it is also a supple the Abyss You all the user of Divine Drag-Ride, don't group a the other students”
It was like that
Now that he was told that, it was the natural decision
Lisha and others, the four of theth that was nearly EX Class and had a high chance of passing the exam, thus it would be unnecessary for then
Also, the second ruin [Dungeon] is very deep
It was better that theto the Ruins before to be split accordingly to support the other cadets
That was how they are told
”Even though I'-Ride that I've newly created at great pains……”
After the warning, Lisha became upset
”I understand what you are saying, and it's the correct reasoning But I still feel a little dissatisfied emotionally”
Krulcifer showed a s
”It's unfortunate…… Even though, I've been carrying the snack for Lu-chan's share too”
”……Ahh, nn Please bring it for me at the next chance This time Phi-chan can eat them all yourself”
Lux showed a wry s his usually expressionless childhood friend
”Even though I wanted to peel the orange for you”
”You really don't need to do that!? Going that far will make me embarrassed okay-!”
After his panicked exclamation, Celis also came to his side
”It can't be helped I originally wanted to use this opportunity to repay Lux for all the times you helped me but──no, Its definitely not that I just want to be with you, okay”
”Then please at another chance For today please becoth for the others”
Like that he parted with the girls and Lux returned to the lodging house
”Haa, nii-san is very popular However, please stop getting intimate with your classmates nohile enrolled in the academy Otherwise, I would feel ashamed”
”Wha, what are you saying!? Everyone is just treatingyou”
Airi's accusation made Lux's face to redden as he panicked
Then however, Airi's sighed deeply as sheher face away from Lux
”……Nii-san's denseness is already at the territory of serious illness after all As I thought, is the cause because he is dragging along the matter of the past?”
”Eh…?”
”Never mind It's not like I want to see someone like the womanizer Nii-san anyway”
Airi said in exasperateion while looking out the
”I ait in the lobby of the Ruin It seeon Paladins will also be there, so you don't need to worry about me”
”Mot it”
Lux nodded and smiled
”Airi, other than this, has anything notable happened recently?”
”…Not really”
Lux smiled wryly when Airi answered with some hesitation
”Okay, but if anything happens please letbrother after all”
The words Lux said made Airi trembled for a moment
Although Airi immediately returned to her usual calm expressionless, and she showed a faint smile
”I understand Good luck, Nii-san”
”Nn”
After acknowledging this, Lux showed Airi a smile as he left
A few seconds later, the expression that she forcefully made finally crumbled, and Airi fell onto her bed
”My uniforet wrinkled……”
Such thinking was crossing the back of her mind even while she was unable to bear it
There was no way she could say it
For so an abnormal fixation toward Lux
It wasn't only the persistent persuasion to join the Seven Dragon Paladins, he s about Lux's past when at the old eil
So──in order to prevent the two fro even ht's events
The Dragon Marauder's spy dom
And then, the ion Marauder were searcing for trigger of war
If the content of the old document that Airi deciphered was reported to the upper brass of the new kingdoe about the old ereat chaos would occur, the brunt of it would surely──be pointed at Lux and Airi
As the final survivors of the Old Empire, amd then as criminals, there was the risk that thye would be doubted of having ties with the Lord(Creator) of Ruin
”If it is only me that ends up hurt then it is still fine But──”
The worst case would be if Airi was taken hostage, and Lux would fall into the grip of the New Kingdom
Furthermore, there were also people within the consul who desired to take advantage of Lux
She didn't want to beco brother for more than this
”I, what should I do……”
At that et taken aback and she held her breath
”Who is it?”
She asked as she placed her diary where the ancient document was hidden in a safe spot on her desk
”Please do not panic I am with Wanheim Principality”
Hearing the sound coirl, Airi relaxed as she opened the door
”-…!? You are──”
”Could you come with me? Miss Airi Arcadia”
The one who appearead along with a few folloas Princess Milmiette
Part 5
”Now then, what to do from here”
In order to participate in the suppression mission, obviously he needed to fix his equip up with the Triad, and it didn't look like he could accompany Lisha or the others this time
”Should I try aksing the other classmates?”
Lux pondered such thing while opening the door of the lodging room──then,
”Wah……!?”
”──Eh?”
So off their shi+rt, rolling the shi+rt off their arm
The exposed smooth white-skinned back appeared in front of Lux's field of vision
”So, sorry-!? I didn't expect so here──”
Reflexively, Lux closed the door at the sight of the half-naked androgynous youth
However, after his panickedly yelled that, he noticed soe
”Eh……? Looking closesly, could you be……Coral?
ie
”Oh, ah, um……that's me I'm also a boy, so there's no problem here Come in”
”Ah, yes, that's right Then, I' in……?”
When Lux tied into a pilot suit was inside the room
No ynous his appearance and body, Coral undoubtedly should be a boy
And yet, for souilt welled up inside Lux Even Lux felt it mysterious
”Ue voice”
Coral apologized with a somewhat shy smile
”Oh, that's fine It wasto knock──anyways, is Coral also taking part in the mission?”
He did not watch Coral's fight at the All-Dragon Battle last tiiven his ability to use EX Wyvern h Class at the very least
From the results of the examination, it didn't look like that Coral necessarily need the extra points, but…
”Well, everyone inAfter all this is our own country”
”I see”
Thinking about it, it was really the natural development
”Sorry toBut──did you able to relax a bit from it?”
”……Thank you Because of that, I was able to get along slightly with Greifer”
After hearing Lux's words, Coral put his hands together
”That's good then Lux is really very kind just as I thought”
Coral spoke with a voice that was ht Lux s”
There were the len said, Airi whose condition was so had slightly beoht
”Then, this is an opportunity that is hard to come by, do you want to join us in the suppression mission?”
”That, do you mean──”
Lux was bewildered at Coral's invitation
”M suppressionwith Greifer, can be in a teaether Is that okay?”
”-……!?”
chiri-, a sharp pain ran behind Lux's eyes and static that looked like sandstorm ran at the back of his mind
(Again……? Just what is this? This pain──, I have felt it before)
Before Lux was able to confir soon went away
”……What's the matter?”
”Ah, its nothing I hope that I will not trouble you too much then”
Although he was hesitant whether he should help the other girls, but they were also encouraged by Instructor Raigree that they asseether with their allied country Wanheim Principality
After Lux gave his answer, he changed out of his uniform into his pilot suit
”Wah……!?”
”Wha, what is it…?”
”No, nothing……Don't' worry about me”
Coral answered with a troubled se while he finished his getup
He was carrying co, then they joined with Greifer
”I don't really care, but why are you purposefully tea up with this fellow from another country……”
”It's fine right? Greifer doesn't have many friends anyway”
Coral retorted at Grefier as a bit annoyed Then after they stopped by at the base inside the palace──the lobby, the three of theeon
After arriving at the bottom of the spiral staircase that was hollow like ant lion larva's pit, the Drag-Knights of both countries were already gathered in large number
”Lux! If anything happens, call me immediately! I will rush to your aid!”
Hearing Lisha's energetic voice, Lux aardly waved
Altough the three of the Triad were also present, for some reason that Buzzheim was also present
His injuries were tied with bandages, -Ride Moreover, his proctor license should also have been revoked
It see of the lared at Lux with hound-like eyes like usual
”Relax Buzzhei to do with this part of the exam”
Coral, who noticed where Lux's line of sight went, had understood the situation
However, Greifer muttered peevishly
”……I wonder? Well, I'll be keeping an eye for you”
”Next team! Number 17, come forward!”
”It's our turn now”
After being called by the proctors, Lux and his comrades walked up
If the Gigas that cado the Ruin of another country Lux was feeling nervous of that while he braced himself
As Lisha's knight too, it would be the best for Lux raise his Class
Besides that, in order to protect the city froive his utmost effort
(But…for what?)
Singlen's words stuck to his mind
He had decided that he would not hesitate…and yet as his feeling like this
”Let's go, Lux-kun”
Coral gently touched Lux's back, indicating Lux to exit In front of the site, Lux summoned <wyvern> and pulled out his sword
”Coth Follow my sword and fly, Wyvern!”
He pressed the button on his hilt and said the chant
Light particles gathered around hih speed His body became covered with streamlined blue armor
A few seconds later, while standing on the pentagon on the floor that was called the Gate, an orange light gradually rose, giving Lux a feeling of floating on air
Feeling like their consciousness was separting froeon
Part 6
The rooftop of the Palace that was overlooking down on the spiral staircase continuing to the Dungeon──the edge of Canopy
Singlen, wearing his usual are that was le mistaken step would make him fall down for few dozen mel
As his eyes followed Lux disappearing in to the Dungeon, he stared lazily back towards the rear of the main troops
”I have returned, my lord”
The air behind Singlen slightly rippled