Volume 6 Chapter 4 (2/2)
As if he was covered by a bed sheet, an old knight wearing a white mask and white jacket appeared
”You are late, Zwei Did anyone tail you here?”
”There has been no action at all Are they saving their capability? Or else, perhaps the Dragon Marauder too isn't planning to make a move carelessly here”
”Who knows…If I were theht now that the danger of Ruin is increasing and each country is hardening their defense, there may not be another chance where they can move this easily if they miss this one”
”…True”
The old knight's husky voice agreed with his master's opinion
”Then I'll order the Knights of White Ridge to stay vigilant To prepare for the worst case scenario—”
The old knight prepared to leave Singlen, stabbed the sheath of his Sword Device onto the ground, elucidating a small thud as it landed
”Well, hold on a second, Zwei Although you were an ableis just a bit too premature We certainly were requested to protect this city ──But, no one will evaluate us highly just fro a small fire that cannot be seen Haven't we experienced that many times in the past, let's be a little cleverer here We will make use of our lesson”
Singlen s darkness
The old knight suddenly realized the truebehind his words
”…That”
”Catching the big fish requires patience Keep in mind ill prioritize the Milmiette ojou-sama's safety first”
”Yes, sir”
After this brief response, Zwei disappeared
Singlen did not care as he looked over the doors of the palace
”…Fugil, ah What will your brother do next? I a forward to it”
Singlen's face held a deep smile
However, his dark voice was not heard by anyone
Part 7
”This…is the Dungeon?”
As his bodyas his witnessed the incredible interior
Although the Acade described what he needed to know, it was still a view beyond his iination
”What's up? Is this your first ti a Ruin?”
”…its very spectacular”
In response to Coral, Lux could not say any other words to describe his impression
However, those were his real feelings
In Lux's eon was supposed to appear as caves
With cold, dark, inorganic rocks channeling through them
However, the scenery in front of hiination
Directly in front of them was an altar-like patio
Around the patio was a field of flowers
Above the patio, instead of a blue sky, soht h
Rather than a cave, it wasit on every side
”Here in the middle is the exit to the outside world There are also places like this far away from where we are with a lake and other scenery, isn't it interesting?”
As Lux curiously looked around, Coral gave his explanation
As they approached, the other feeonment
”Oh, honor student-sama! Our task is to suppress Abyss here yeah? Don't treat it like a picnic”
”Greifer is still the saet nervous Or is it that you just want to finish quickly and get back to Princess Milmiette?”
The two of thean to quarrel
Lux looked at the tith a wry sht crossed his mind
”So noto raid?”
”According to the records the exploration has only reached until level four The area looks spacious, but it's actually quite complicated After we pass three levels, the amount of powerful Abyss and harsh environment will increase…”
”I see”
Listening to Coral's answer, Lux breathed a sigh of relief
It seemed that in this Ruin, the existence of Automaton that was called Gear Leader hadn't been confirmed
Without that Hayes as called as Lord, the possibility that so happened in Ruin must be low
”Shall we begin? Although there are only a few Abyss here, don't let your guard down and take them one by one!”
Lux nodded to Coral's words, then they too began the Abyss extermination
Far in the darkness, a scream could be heard
”That sound, its Hind huh”
”Even though this creature looks like a deer, it is very ferocious Be very careful!”
Lux listened to Greifer and Coral's instructions as he drew his weapon
The suppression an with this team that was formed for the first time
Part 8
”Listen to ? I failed so e and ate all of it!”
”…I-Is that so?”
At the same time
Under the Canopy, deep in the halls of the Dungeon above the door, Princess Milmiette and Airi were there
Why was she sitting next to the princess of Wanheim Principality?
It seeed a lot of security to ensure Airi's safety, but having a lot of guards made her nervous
”Coral is the son of my distant relatives, but because of the death of his parents from illness, he was adopted as on Paladins, I think that sooner or later his visit to the new kingdom will also increase, please treat him well then”
”It's no problem That…If I may say so, could you excuse me for a few minutes?”
”Oh, I'uard to accompany you”
”I-I'll be fine by myself!”
Princess Mil surrounded by male officers was troublesome
(How to say it…this person, she is too pure that it's hard to deal with her……)
Other than that, a lot of eyes and ears around made Airi felt uneasy
Because of the ancient docu
She exited the Lobby and brought her feet toward the toilet
Airi had been very cautious until there
However, right after she finished her business and exited the building, for a uard down
”Hey!”
A silhouette quietly approached from the shadows
A
”Thi-Thief! Stop! Please stop-…!”
She was shouting while knowing that it was in vain
Even though she was hit and knocked down, she stood up quickly and began to give chase However, she could not catch up
Theinside the Palace As if replacing thatthe bad and fled down the spiral staircase
”──Eh!?”
Airi was stopped by the unexpected scene
If the man flew outside, it would be hard to find hi to the bottoeon where there would be no place to escape
He was a thief, so ould he run towards a place with a dead-end
Although a lot of Drag-Knights had gathered due to the suppression mission, however, if an outside went down there he should still get noticed
Unless this ht as a part of the suppression mission and had received the permission to participate ──
”What exactly is going on…?”
The situation was puzzling
But after thinking about it for a few seconds, the possibility made Airi tremble
Froaps in the cloth, the thief's face appeared similar to that of one of Buzzheim's men
”Surely…it can't be…”
At that ht
When Singlen visited Airi's rooested that Airi was secretly in possession of the so that was connected to the Ruin
「Those guys are sending spy to every country It will be dangerous if they know you are hiding the secret of Ruin What I want to say is be cautious」
Wjat if supposedly Buzzheim overheard this conversation…
Airi's heart beat furiously, and she felt her consciousness fading
If the ancient documents were exposed, they would lose the place that they had obtained in the new kingdom
People will question their relationshi+p with the Lord(Creator), then they would be imprisoned once more, or else──
(There is no time to hesitate)
Airi rushed back towards the Lobby to inforency
This matter of robbery couldn't be reported to the military officer of Wanheim Principality
Since there was no evidence that it was one of Buzzheim's people, and it was only Airi's speculation
She couldn't act against the military officer of another country without solid evidence And even if for exan ignorance
That h normal means
”Nii-san, I──…”
Airi hesitated to discuss this with her brother Airi rushed down the spiral staircase as though she was being pushed down As she approached the Gate of the Dungeon, Noct came into her field of vision
”What's the ood”
Tillfur and Sharis of the Triad were also there Perhaps they had just finished resting and returned here
However, Lux and Lisha and other -Ride were not there
Perhaps it would be best to seek their assistance first, but there was no time for that
Buzzhei-Ride due to his injury, andhim, only a few of them──
”Noct, there is so I need your help with Could you please help me?”
When Airi noticed, she had cut to the case
She said that she wanted to go into the ruins to catch the thief
Part 9
”Fuu…we did pretty well And just now our team finished the fourth battle”
Coral said this with a smile as the firewood crackled
They were surrounded by rocks on all sides with a thin lawn covering the ground like a blanket
They were resting in an open space of the northeast part of the Dungeon's first level
It see places called Caeon
They were not originally part of the Dungeon but set up one by one by Wanheim Principality as they explored Next to them, water from the waterfall parted to create a basin around them
Lux and Coral were resting in shabby tents set up in the vicinity
”I doubt there is poison in the water, but it's still likely better to not drink it If we can understand the situation upstreauarantee for that”
”Got it”
The teapot and water they had at hand caht in advance
Since they were only exploring for a day, there was not a need to bring too many provisions in advance
”──However, there is no doubt that Lux will be promoted here”
As Lux sipped his tea, Coral sratulated him
Based on the pocket watch they had, there was less than an hour before they needed to return
They exter the instructions of the examinees ere here and there and repeated that several times
While Lux could only use Wyvern to fight, Greifer and Coral were quite strong so the mission went smoothly
In the main exam, he acted in the way that lowered his evaluation several times, but with this Lux's promotion to Middle Class should be without a problem
He would continue to uphold his reputation as Lisha's knight
(Buy why is it I wonder…… Why a this superficial?)
Lux put down his tea cup and began strolling around the tent in a daze
There were nocould be heard, but…
”Oi”
”Wah!?”
There was a voice that suddenly caer stabbed the floor in front of him
When Lux ju Cuelebre arrived at his side
”Don't loiter around as you please We are resting right now but don't wander too far from the tent”
”Ah, sorry…”
Lux hurriedly apologized Greifer grunted towards the side
(Aa, when I thought that our relationshi+p has finally ihtly…)
Greifer's blunt attitude towards Lux made him felt down as he walked back towards the tent, it was then──,
”That was dangerous, Greifer! Anyways, you need to explain to him about that!”
”What do you mean?”
The words of Coral as exiting the tent confused Lux, while Greifer was showing a bothersome face
”Haah, the Portal(transfer device) is in that direction Didn't I explain it before we entered?”
”Oh…”
Lux noticed what Greifer's intention was
Inside this Dungeon, other than stair that went underground, there were things called Portal installed at several floors
The Portal's shape was siroup of rocks in a circle that was easy to notice, but because it could only transport things from the upper floor to the lower floors in one-way trip, the tea separated at theit
Lux noticed that while he presented a different attitude on the surface, Greifer was quite concerned about Lux's safety
In any case, theno matter what he said
”Thank you Greifer I'll switch with you to patrol around now”
Lux said this with a slance to the side
”I ain't feeling like drinking tea, so I'll refrain We are going to return back soon anyway right? Rather than that──”
Greifer had an indifferent look as always as he stood up wearing his Cuelebre
”A coon Voice ca on The dom eren't too hot at the exam this time──that team seems to raise some abnormal results for this exam”
”Isn't that a good thing? With that the possibility the people of new kingdo promoted will increase”
Coral tilted his head while Greifer continued to speak
”That's if they are doing it in proper way According to the proctor, it seems that team took care of about a dozen Abyss or more already”
”Eh?”
Upon hearing this, Lux reacted to the conversation for the first time
Strange
The New Kingdohts, with the exception of the captain Dilwy, should be consisting of only Low or Middle Class Drag-Knight
Of course, that Class in the end was only one indicator of strength, but it was hard to iine that they would all suddenly show such results inside this unfan country
”Seems that the Abyss on the second level ain't a match for them, thus they went towards the entrance to the third floor I wonder, what is their trick?”
As Greifer said these words, a grave expression appeared on Coral's face for the first time
However, he sighed immediately and returned to his usual demeanor
”That is concerning, but no rules were broken, so there is no problems”
”If that's so then it's okay It is still a bit early, but how about we start heading back?”
At Greifer's suggestion, Lux stood up
But, at that veryvertically
”Earthquake!?!”
Right after Lux judged like that, the pale yellow light that illuht red
”That's!?!”
Lux recalled a past situation in the Ark that was similar with this He pulled out his Sword Device
”Someone broke into the third floor!? This is bad, at this rate──the Ruin will enter alert state!”
Coral who saw that also called out his EX Wyvern and equipped it
”Greifer! I'eon and await instructions from Princess Milmiette”
”Gotcha Hey, prince, let's go back to the Palace”
”Hold on! I ao take a look as well!”
Lux requested to accompany him, but Coral calmly shook his head
”I can't take you along towards a part of the dungeon that you are not fah you are concerned about the officers of the new kingdom, please bear with it for now”
Saying that, Coral glided out while driving EX Wyvern
He traveled through the dungeon and quickly disappeared from the field of vision in the blink of an eye
Part 10
”…hat is this shaking! What is happening!?”
”I-It's not our fault!? Although we accidentally chased the Abyss towards the third floor, just because of that, the Ruin become like this…!”
”Captain Dilwy! Did you see!? Should we retreat…”
It was a team that was composed of only male officers
The squad captain, Dilwy and three Drag-Knights of the new kingdoe in situation and showed the weak-kneed expression that was exactly opposite with until nohen they were defeating a lot of Abysses
Their steady advance untilnoas solely thanks to Dilhile the other three were only given the leftover There was no sense of duty or dignity as knight in that
”──Haah”
Dilwy raised a smile of mockery towards them
His old wound had healed His right are black pattern on its surface That ar a knife that was left behind by the robed ht
No, not so er than before
”The seed of war huh I see, so that is hoas…”
”Cap-Captain Dilwy! Let's retreat quickly”
”Aah, it is already that time huh…then, let's have a farewell soon”
TheDilords
No one there noticed hoas like a completely different person from his normal demeanor
Part 11
”This sound, what happened–!?”
Equipped with her Wyvern, Sharis was surprised and wondering as happening?
The Triad and Airi were searching for Buzzheim on the second floor when the sudden chaos ensued
Perhaps it was tiths around them
”Isn't this bad!? How come this feels like the last time in the Ark?”
”Yes, I judge that the possibility is high But according to the Radar, it will still take a little more until we catch up with Buzzheim and others who seem to be the robbery culptrit, about 70 mel ahead──”
Airi bit her lips with a co held by Noct's Drake
They heard explanation about the Dungeon's alert state when they received instruction regarding this suppression mission
About five ed, the stairs connecting the third floor and the second floor would be blocked And there was danger that many Abyss would appear
That ancient document absolutely had to be taken back
──However, she also couldn't expose the Triad to even er than this because of her selfishness
”…As long as we haveDragon Voice There's about 50to the third level They should be there”
Noct said this in response to seeing Airi's troubled face
Sharis also spoke to the undecided Airi
”Let's go There is no ti as the Acadeilance committee, I will not stand them unless we pay them back”
”That's true~, they also harassed us a lot at the exam~”
”Yes, I will continue detecting the Abyss, so please leave securing the path of retreat to me”
”──My apologies, everyone”
Airi let out a weak voice toward the Triad ere considerate and helpful to her
”I'd also like to test o Tillfur, Noct”
”Roo~ger”
”Yes, lish)
Tillfur and Noct responded to Sharis's statement with a smile
Right in front of the staircase leading to the third floor, it was discovered that Buzzhei position there
Buzzhei on to Airi's bag However, the four men of Wanheim Principality's eneral purpose Drag-Ride
Sharis quickly ai
”A warning towards all of you the officers of allied country Wanhei that belongs to the civil official of our New Kingdom If you return it noill nor report your deed to your superior and the incident will not turn into serious matter But if you refuse, ill take it back by force!”
In response, Buzzheim face shi+fted from surprise into a sneer
”…Just when I thought what you are going to say, but could you have gotten the wrong people? The package was soiven by an acquaintance of mine”
He said this as he retreated behind his subordinates
”So you are refusing to return it If so, I won't be so polite in taking it back”
The er of the Wyvern Sharis controlled touched on her Breath Gun, one of the folloearing Wyrm rushed ahead suddenly
He released a barrier to protect hie forward even while deflecting bullet
”The standard reaction huuh That's no good you know──”
Aware of the ene Wyrm intercepted the enemy
Tillfur's Ha him lost balance Then she landed a decisive blow to the shoulder of her opponent's armor
”Ga, ahh……!?”
When thethat smooth blow, Sharis who had switched her weapon folloith an attack by her Blade The enemy's armor was dispelled after his Force Core received impact
Furtherer of her Breath Gun to hold back the other men who tried to join the fray The three of they and acted all at once
”This is checkmate, Buzzheim-dono”
”Ku…!”
As Sharis's sas pointed at hiroaned
The outcome was decided
If they returned with full speed froo back before the blockade of the stair between second floor and the third floor was completed
As soon as Airi had a slight peace of mind, Buzzheim loudly called out
”I-I will not give it back to you! I know that I a that will lead to the Ruin's secret! If you hurtin court! You wouldn't want that After all──”
”Is that so──then I'll have you entrust that so called Ruin's secret to me”
”Na!?”
The sudden inco voice made Buzzheim, his men, the Triad, and Airi all freeze in place
Standing there was a young man with delicate features clad in EX Wyvern, Dilwy Froias
(Even though I don't want it to get seen by this person too who is an ardom──)
Seeing how things have been going, Airi was desperately thinking about what to say to Dilwy
However, the necessity of this disappeared a moment later
”Wh-what are you saying!? Who will…ahh!”
Zan-, the EX Wyvern's Blade swung and cut off the head of Buzzheim
Right after Airi and the Triad felt terrified, Dilwy's Blade slashed once more
Acco cut away, the silver flash ran through the air and lopped off the head of the rest of Buzzheim's folloere dumbfounded
”Wha, what are you──”
Giving a glance at Sharis hispered with pale face, Dilwy carelessly snatched the blood soaked bag of Airi from the arm of the headless Buzzheim
His presence was completely the sae
But that was instead felt so hair-rising terrifying
”Ah, sorry to frighten everyone”
Dilwy said it with a deadpan face without revealing any eh what he had done was even less than crushi+ng a bug
”The squad that cah it is quite difficult to coround level, but in the unlikely chance you girls e to call for help, it would be quite troublesome”
”What are you saying? You…”
Sharis said with a slight tre in her voice
”Enough with the chit-chat After all, threats require the necessary steps So, how ht, it's nearly iainst s off of the three girls around you one by one before cutting their neck Do you understand now? Well then, this thing about the way to the Ruin's secret, could you please explain? Airi Arcadia?
Airi could only shi+ver as the saliva in her mouth dried up
Her heart and mind were unable to comprehend the reality in front of her
However, one thing was obvious
That, thisenemy
”Having said that, I did not expect that I can be this strong Although e man──well, I don't need to mention that too”
”──Sharis, Tillfur, are you in position? The reaction is close”
Adorned with her <drake>, Noct whispered while holding a tense expression
”Well, there is no other way──let's go!”
Right after that call, Sharis's Wyvern flew to the side
Taking a deep breath, Noct grabbed Airi and she with Tillfur ran following Sharis
”Sorry, but we aren't a hest priority, Airi!”
Sharis shouted while searching for a different path to get to the second floor
The understanding of the nearby terrain and the detection of Abyss had been finished using Noct's Drake
”It appears that you all are unable to understand your own strength fro because all of you have no escape”
Dilwy spoke with a calm tone as he chased them with EX Wyvern
”Unfortunately, I understand about myself Your worry is unnecessary!”
When they arrived at spacious, straight channel, Sharis fled towards the crae at the side
In that h the air
”Indeed you are the cohter That's not half bad”
Dilho noticed the Triad's intention whispered with a fearless smile
Sharis's plan was to escape byfellow formidable enemies clashed with each other
A ferocious medium-sized Abyss intercepted Dilwy from the front
Part 12
On the other side, since the mission was about to reach the time li-Knights were returning to above ground
It was not only to escape the changing, deteriorating terrain but also to intercept the Abysses that were summoned around the Ruin The combat force needed to return back for that
”What do you o rescue them!?”
In the athered, Lisha, dressed in pilot suit flared up at the commander of Wanheim
”That is because, due to the regulation regarding the Ruins, people the New Kingdoeon while it's in alert state……”
”I already said that we can! Give us the permission already!”
As Lisha slammed her fist on the table, a voice came from behind them
”──Good grief, could you please be quiet, your highness the princess of new kingdom”
A man in a blue coat made a sudden, unexpected appearance
The Blue Tyrant──Singlen Shelbrit who had been concealing hiht
Although the air was tense, he did not waver at all
His dull black pupils were deeply dark like an abyss
With that pair of eyes staring at her, Lisha slightly faltered
”Can you explain to us? Our comrades are still trapped inside there”
Singlen shrugged toward the gri beside Lisha
”Oh? It seeh you all are just noble daughters playing around, you all are still people who belonged to the ”
”Don'taround pretending to make conversation with you!”
Krulcifer pushed out her hand to the side to hold Lisha back
”The priority of the army is to protect Wanheim Principality's princess Mil?”
Frolen merely responded with asmile
Of course, although half of that reason was only a pretext The truth was that they wanted as much combat force as possible to wipe out the Abysses that were appearing near the entrance quickly
Thinking about it now, from the start this was the reason that princess Milmiette purposefully came to observe the exam personally
If they recruited the officers of new kingdom to exterather coeon's entrance and made them protect the city That was their aim
The princess was a necessary presence to achieve each of these goals under just cause
”This iven the command to those in the Ruin to retreat Well, do not worry, I will send in my men to search If you're lucky──hm? Aah”
There, a hts whispered in Singlen's ear
”I see, it's quite regrettable Just now, it seems that the entrance to third level is blocked, and the bunches on the third level became stuck inside”
”What──!?”
Hearing that, even the expression of Instructor Raigree as keeping caled drastically
At the second and third level, there was a mechanism to blockade the level entrance
Thus, it was strictly forbidden to enter the third floor However, some did it accidentally
Such as the forces of Buzzheim and the troops of Dilwy
Additionally, the members of the Triad and who entered last Airi were also imprisoned on the third level
”It can't be helped The investigation of Ruin is always accompanied by accident We will send in rescue team after the alert state is dispelled, th left at that time”
Those words froed the atmosphere
”── Don't screw around”
A cold voice passed through the the noisy Lobby
Frolen
”Are you saying that you are abandoning the fellow Drag-Knights while having the strength to save──”
Lisha and Krulcifer were surprised at how Lux spoke with such aforce that was unlike him and they stared at his face
”Don't lose your teing Ruin's Gear The ones trapped on the third floor are mostly Middle Class or lower anyway They are just obsolete bunch who fell behind without any significant ability or quality In this current world──there is no leeway to save the weak”
”The weak……you say?”
Singlen chuckled at the Lux's quiet voice that contained rage
”There