Vol 7 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Chapter 4

Episode 4 – The Subjugator, Mel Gizalut

–

Part 1

「Uu──, AAAaAAH……!」

Near the cathedral located at the north of the holy capital, inside a rooht Order to sleep

At the tih-pitched scream resounded

「Haa, haah! Haa……! Haa……」

Mel was breathing roughly with heaving shoulders on top of the bed in sitting posture

She confirmed the situation around her and e on the wall

「……How hopeless Only this dreao」

She e memory of the bad dream with her oo hands to hold it in

The terror and despair froe of Ruin seven years ago

And then the burning rage inside the chest made Mel Gizalut’s body to tremble

「Why, even though today isn’t that day……」

She bit her lower lip hard and let out a voice with a grieving expression

「Even though I won’t lose if today is that day Otou-sa brotherand Onee-sa sister too──even my little sister, I won’t let them die if it’s today, and yet!」

She pulled out the Sword Device fro at the beautiful blade of two colors that was glistening

Divine Drag-Ride Ddraig Gwiber, it was a prize that was bestowed to Mel after she was defeated by Krulcifer at the military art tournament due to Bishop Orphel’s proposal to the archbishop

Although she lost due to decision, but thinking about the future prospect and strength of her who polished her skill until that far in that short ti for her to receive it It seeht that surely it was just the reason at the surface

Wasn’t it actually so in the line of duty and also because of all their contribution in the past as ht Order that was directly subordinate to the pope? At first she was doubting it like that

But──,

「Mel, you have nightain?」

Knock knock After that light knocking sound, Bishop Orphel entered inside the room

「……I’」

Seeing Mel wiped her sweat and said that, Orphel walked toward her with uneasy look

She sat down beside the bed, then she hurriedly put on a coat above Mel’s white underwear

「Bishop-sama is a art like usual Shouldn’t you worry about his eminence the pope instead as his aide?」

Even while talking sarcastically, Mel didn’t reject that good will and smiled

Orphel who heard her words also didn’t look offended, shetone

「It’s no good for a girl to let their body get cold you know? You are a strong and smart child, but you are still careless in that kind of area」

Saying that, she rasped a warm stone that rapped with fabric

Her body that was starting to get cold ar its calm

「…………」

The bishop with years of long service in the church──Orphel Mel always thought that she was a mysterious woman

In this country, bishop who engaged in politic and cereet deeply involved with the Sanctuary Knight Order that was military

Because both sides shouldered iulation so both

sides wouldn’t be too closely connected

And yet for soo Orphel frequently came to check Mel’s condition

Even though she never even heard that Orphel had particular friendshi+p with Gizalut house

(Really Just what is this person thinking I wonder──)

No one was talking about it openly, but the number of felloho talked badly about the relationshi+p of Mel and Orphel wasn’t few

Orphel was ai for the hidden fortune of Gizalut house, or she was taking advantage of the lonely girl’s weakness, or she was trying to win over the powerful person who becaon Paladins, etc, etc There were many kind of rumor

Mel was a clever girl, so she immediately understood that kind of method with ulterior motive

But for some reason, she didn’t harbor animosity toward Orphel

She didn’t really understand why, but it ave her cheap consolation

When she had only lost her family, various people called out to Mel in pity

–

『Youover your hard work』

『Don’t lose This too is a trial that is given to you』

『Let’s offer a prayer If you do that then surely the time will come when your heart too will receive salvation』

–

──Don’t screw around

That hat Mel was thinking even while nodding sly at the surface

She didn’t kno much her heart was hurt until now by those very cheap consolations

The people giving those consolations thehtest ill will, so it caused even er to well up inside

Both her parents were devoured to death bywas suddenly stolen unreasonably After such thing, how could she believe in God or anything?

It was only Orphel who had never said such thing even once to Mel

She only asked things like, ‘is there sory? Don’t you feel cold? How is your health?’, and so on, after that she would talk about trivial thing with her, and stayed at her side longer than anyone else

She visited the lodging house every , and looked after Mel when she was tormented by bad dream

When Mel was injured or when she was sick, Orphel would nurse her throughout the night

That hy, Mel was harboring emotion that was similar to deep affection toward this woman called Orphel

She even thought, ‘If only she is my real mother……’

(I too ahly possible that she is trying to use me, and yet──)

Her obtaining the Divine Drag-Ride Ddraig Gwibel, her beco was because of the endorseuardian

Of course, Mel herself had the conceit that her strength was the best even in Ymir Theocracy, but she could sense some kind of motive from Orphel

But, even so, there was a side of herself who felt that the wo were pleasant

(In the end, I too ay of Ymir am I)

Even while she was laughing at herself inside her heart, she couldn’t do anything at all regarding her feeling

When huood will toward their ally

She was thinking that she didn’t want to be abandoned by this person, that she wanted to answer her expectation

「Mel, you have talent Proof it by obtaining achievee this tinize you You won’t──feel lonely anymore」

「You cannotme up you know?」

Mel chuckled and stood up from the bed

「But, I’ll show you how I raise the greatest achieveainst Krulcifer only for el」

「As expected, you can be charged with lese majeste because of those words」

Even while s a believer herself, Orphel didn’t reprimand her

「It will be preparation tiuardian」

Orphel only said that and exited the room quietly

Froht sleet was starting to fall

–

Part 2

The e Festival

Lux and Krulcifer first headed to the departure place that was the sanctuary as planned

At the sae to accompany them to the sanctuary When they arrived, theyplan of the Dragon Marauder

「I understand As an allied country, I gratefully accept the assistance of the elites frodom Atismata」

It see with the bishop, he immediately accepted

Although, Lisha and others wouldn’t accoe of the pope

The aion Marauder was split into two at present

In the description of the secrettarget would be the archbishop or the pope, either of them

While Pope Nias was carrying out ceremony at the old sanctuary site nearby the Hall, Lisha and others would stand by at the holy capital where the archbishop was staying It was arranged so that their combat force would be applied as the situation demanded

Fifty elites of Sanctuary Knight Order, Lux, Krulcifer, and Mel, they served as the pope’s guard just like before It seeh

「I wish to accoon Paladins but……it cannot be helped with our strategy Please leave this side to us」

Celis gave out only a little bit of sign of feeling disappointed, even so she straightened her back and threw out her chest

When Lux nodded, Philuffy suddenly peered with unblinking gaze at Lux’s face

「Uwah!? Phi, Phi-chan!?」

「Lu-chan It’s no good unless you properly sleep at night you know?」

It seeh Lux’s lack of sleep in an instant

Well, one of the cause of it was related to Philuffy though──,

「Also, it’s no good, if you fight while worrying too much you know?」

「Eh……?」

Lux was surprised when Philuffy told him that indifferently with her usual serious face

Even though he didn’t say anything about Krulcifer and the Ruin, and also about Ney Louches

She softly caressed Lux’s hair pon pon, and then gave him a soft smile

「If Lu-chan’s feeling isn’t mistaken, surely it will be fine」

「……Yes Thank you」

Even without her knowing the detail of the circumstance, Philuffy’s words mysteriously were able to relieve him

When his feeling was turning peaceful like that, Lisha finally came last

「Be careful okay Lux ……Also, don’t flirt too much with Krulcifer」

「Ahaha……」

「Come back safely for sure The safety of his eht after all」

「Yes I absolutely won’t do anything that make Lisha-sama sad」

When Lux shtly while offering her hand slowly

After Lux took that hand and squeezed back, he also finished greeting Yoruka lightly

The preparation of Pope Nias was also finished, and the elites of Sanctuary Knight Order got into the horse carriage

But, the assistant sister as usually riding together on the pope’s carriage, Ney Louches came in front of Lux and others

「Due to Orphel-sama’s command, today I will accompany Xf……, not that, Krulcifer-sama and others dearimasu Please take care of me ……Fuu, I alood grief」

After holding up her hand in front of her face with a snap, Ney averted her face and muttered

Lux and Krulcifer who saw that looked at each other’s face ry look

「That’s why your true feeling is leaking all over though……, perhaps it’s a blunder to include this child into the plan Noit has been since she was last serviced just like she said, she is still a bit too much of a piece of junk」

「Tha-, that’s cruel dearih Ney look like this, Ney is a child that can do it if she try deariuwah」

Lux and Krulcifer ent pale hearing her words wasted no time to block her mouth

It seeot into the horse carriage before even more mistake could be made

They departed to the last pilgrie location, the old sanctuary site near the entrance of Hall

Next, would Dragon Marauder cadom obtained?

Or else, would that be a diversion and instead they would attack the holy capital to suppress the cathedral where the archbishop was at?

And then, would Lux be able to head to the Hall’s archive following Ney’s guidance?

A day where various thinking was interlacing started

–

Part 3

Ten-odd minutes later, they arrived at the old sanctuary site without any accident

It see, Lux and other who found opportunity planned to accomplish their objective

Krulcifer would use the supervisor authority she possessed froround the old sanctuary site, teleported to the archive of Hall, and obtained information of the past

Ney Louches was given detailed instruction by Pope Nias──or more accurately the upper brasses of the church ere advising hiether with Krulcifer

But, the pope and the bishops didn’t know about Automata’s trait that was obedient toward Xfer Krulcifer turned the table through that She would investigate the Hall’s archive along with Lux and ai about her true identity and the objective of the existence that was called as LordCreator

While Pope Nias was preparing for the cere to Krulcifer

「Don’t loiter around too uard his eminence the pope, and for you to raise an achievement that doesn’t lose to Mel Gizalut」

His tone sounded chiding, but there was no particular malice that could be sensed from ti

Therefore Krulcifer too merely returned a simple question to Zain

「I know More ie?」

She quietly turned around and stared at the back

Aa cane──the father of Krulcifer, Stiyl Einfolk was for so with Alterize as acting as guard

His foot was bad because of old wound Perhaps because he had a body that couldn’t wear Drag-Ride, he was beside the horse carriage that was some distance away

The old sanctuary site that was near the Hall had been predicted beforehand that it would be dangerous, and yet for him to intentionally come here was certainly an unnatural act but──

「I also told him That the position of Einfolk house doesn’tBut, he is obstinate like that, he said to me 『There is a need for me to come』 and won’t listen」

「…………」

Lux ignored Zain’s gru at distance

He didn’t understand his true intention, but to him it looked like he was somewhat concerned with Krulcifer’s condition

「Perhaps unexpectedly, it can be that father also come here to watch your achievement?」

「No way such thing is true, absolutely」

Krulcifer cal brother that was filled with sarcasm

「Even though, he didn’t come to save me at that time……」

Sheinto the old sanctuary site

「──Excuse me」

「I, I’ too dearimasu!」

Lux also excused hi with Ney followed behind Krulcifer

The Sanctuary Knight Order including Mel was already going ahead If the old sanctuary site had to be described with feords, it was a mysterious place

Different from the Ruin, it wasn’t a structure that existed froreat sanctuary of Yo

Lux heard that the entrance to the Hall was accidentally discovered near this site

Deep at the center there was a large altar Even in its state with the ceiling collapsed and the sky was visible, the vestige of solemn atmosphere could be sensed

There was a stair continuing to underground beside the mountain of rubble, because there was the risk of cave-in over there, it was forbidden to enter with a chain

That was exactly──the entrance toward Hall that was their aim this time

「It seeht and it was investigated, but there wasn’t even a single Abyss from here until the entrance of Hall that was around a kl from here」

「I see, thank you for your effort I will begin the prayer cere me」

After the captain of Sanctuary Knight Order counseled Pope Nias, the bishop Orphel moved to aid with the ceremony

Ritual tools for the prayer were lined up The last cerein from here

But, even after understanding that there was no reaction of Abyss nearby, it was possible that an ambush like yesterday could happen

A total of fifty-odd Drag-Knights took position like their plan at the beginning without letting down their guard

Lux and Krulcifer, and also Ney were placed to guard the inside of the old sanctuary site following the instruction of Pope Nias and Orphel

Just as instructed by the top brass of the church that was conveyed through Pope Nias, Krulcifer whose origin was fro back treasure and information from the Hall

However, the moment they descended down the stair, Ney was scared toward the depth of the darkness that was gaping wide open

「Uwaaa It’s dark! It’s scary! Ney is not good against mouse and bat dearimasu!」

「Is that so? How pitiful But, I’ll have you walk ahead so do your best」

「Hiiiii! The supervisor-sama here is inhuman dearimasu! U, understood, I will handle it carefully ……Even so it’s cruel dearimasu, you are a type that will be hated by man, wait, oh nooo!」

(As always, the voice of her heart is leaking out……)

Lux unconsciously sh

「It’s not like I want to harass you With the narrowness of this passage, Drag-Ride cannot be deployed, so I thought that you as an Autoer That’s all Noyou have been separated froht?」

「Uuu, I understand dearimasu I will do my best somehow」

「I’ll depend on you, Ney I’ hope for your real ability You are a child who can do it when you try aren’t you?」

「Wo, woof-! Ple, please leave it to me!」

When Krulcifer patted the head of Ney as nodding tearfully, her eyes sparkled and she recovered her liveliness

(She tamed her in this short time……!)

Was it Krulcifer’s wiles that was a, or perhaps it was Ney as simple

In any case without even any tian walking through the collapsed underground passage

Fortunately, perhaps because it was cold and there was no food, there wasn’t anylike Ney orried about

Just, rubbles were scattered everywhere, so it was hard to walk combined with the darkness

「It’s not as deep as I thought, if there is sign of fighting, ill also be able to return quickly」

「Yes even if the opponent planned to split their force, we cannot let our guard down The Drag-Knight who is theplan, a division coon Marauder, Drakkhen, I heard that she is a clever person who excel in fory」

「Yes Besides, I’m also worried about Krulcifer-san’s father and brother」

「…………」

Krulcifer didn’t reply to Lux’s

Her side face that was illu of torch was also in her usual cool expression

「Lux-kun, do you dislikedistance with my family?」

「Eh……?」

The girl’s sudden words that was also si to herself caused Lux to raise a bewildered voice

Even so Krulcifer kept looking forward and continued walking quietly

「I noticed You were calling out toto obtain so my discord with my family」

「……Sorry It wasn’t h」

Shepresent to Krulcifer’s little sisters, or talked to her father

「You don’t need to apologize I’」

Her lips abruptly relaxed and she turned a gentle smile to him

「Rather, I want to sayto ascertain inwith my family for the second time any」

In the past, Krulcifer found out that she was born from Ruin

Since then, a gulf was created between her and her family

And then, she was banished frodom

In the new kingdo that if she was able to solve the mystery of the Ruin, wouldn’t she be able to meet her true family, she entrusted her wish to that

Krulcifer herself avering in her heart even now

「Should I try toof it for the whole night, the answer didn’t come out」

Even if right now she entered the archive of the Hall and obtained some kind of truth, she would still waver

That hy, as an important friend of her, Lux said the answer

「──I am Krulcifer-san’s ally No matter what happened, for sure」

「That’s right isn’t it」

Krulcifer chuckled and showed a smile at Lux’s serious expression

Right after that, Ney as going ahead stepped her foot on an open place

「We arrive dearimasu Xfer-sama, Lux-sama」

It was hard to see because of the dimness of the place, but it was a space that was like cone shaped hall

Deeper inside, there was a wall that wasn’t ed on it

「From this we can trespass into inside the Hall, toward the archive dearimasu And then──here they come Twelve Abysses appeared on the surface of old sanctuary site」

Lux and Krulcifer lifted their face with alert expression

This hall that was beside the door that connected to the Ruin had high ceiling There was space to su-Ride

In addition, if the ceiling was destroyed, it would be accoer of collapse but it would be possible to escape

「There is no large type Abyss, but what should we do supervisor-sa room that is nearby the archive, we can even observe the surface fro teleport but──」

Should they head out to help right now, or else would they go in a hurry toward the viewing roo their business at the archive

The elite force of fifty Drag-Knights h Class and above was a battle force that could oppose twelve Abysses

Furtheron Paladins and Alterize as EX Class were also there

But, if reinforceon Marauder came at the middle, there was also the possibility of Krulcifer’s step brother Zain and her step father Stiyl getting exposed to danger

「I──」

「Wait! I’ll try contacting Alterize-san!」

Lux quickly pulled out his Sword Device, summoned his Wyvern and equipped it

And then he used Dragon Voice to send his voice to Alterize’s EX Wyvern

If the ene her Drag-Ride

The prediction of Lux as thinking like that was right on the spot, a connection with her was immediately linked

『Lux-saround? Currently here we are in theAbysses Their nuoyle, Chimera, and also Haiit』

That lineup wasn’t weak, but she and the other Drag-Knights there should be able to oppose that number and types of Abysses

Lux asked for some more detail just in case

「Other than that, is there enemy reinforcement?」

『The Drake force of Sanctuary Knight Order is searching for reaction of Abyss and Drag-Rode, but for the ti none can be found in the area We had also confir it seemed to leave immediately』

The conversation between Lux and Alterize were also heard by the two girls beside him

When Lux told that to Alterize, Alterize gave a push on the back

『Ojou-sama, please advance forward We will hold on at this side』

「──I understand Take care of Einfolk house」

Krulcifer told Alterize that without going as far as saying ‘family’

Froe Festival this time was at here

The girl who originated from Ruin, Krulcifer, and the Automata that came out from the Ruin, Ney Louches

The th and solve the mystery of the Ruin

When Krulcifer lifted up her hand to the h the surface and it was tinged with dazzling radiance

『……’s existence is confir of special code is executed If there is no problein』

Inorganic strange voice could be heard resounding directly inside the brain

It was the saated the altar in the Garden

With the authority toward Ruin that Krulcifer possessed, it was possible to infiltrate from a special route

「Then, we are going in dearimasu!」

Along with Ney’s call, light enveloped the surrounding

Right after that, they received sensation as though floating in the darkness, and when they noticed it was as though they were standing in different place

A passagebefore their eyes

The surrounding was tinged with faint light in reaction to their existence

「──This place, is inside the Hall……?」

「Yes deari time I have returned to the home I missed so muuuch! Waaaai!」

Perhaps feeling great delight fro ears stood up then she jumped pyon pyon up and down

But Krulcifer plopped her hand on Ney’s head with a quiet expression

「My bad, but right noe have no tiuide us to the archive here, so we can also quickly return to the surface?」

「Ro, roger dearimasu!」

Ney straightened her posture in a snap, then she quickly began to walk through the corridor

Each side began to act with various feelings kept concealed inside the chest

–

Part 4

──At the saht Order as well as cooperator frodo plan, they took their post and perforilance

Anywhere in the holy capital that was the capital city of Ymir was important position, but in this day that was the last day of the Pilgrie Festival, it was the cathedral at the northern part that was the uarded

The believers in this country had no e spot

Most believers would get through with it by staying ho the nearest church But the nobles whose position as believer wasn’t low had the custo prayer in this cathedral to e

Furtherht now this place was also the residence of the archbishop

The ai plan was Pope Nias as well as the archbishop Froather the ier was also considered

But, the result of the discussion caused such method to be dismissed because of two reasons

The first reason, because the stage of the battle would be the holy capital itself, in the case that the important people were scattered everywhere, it would make it harder instead to protect them

The other reason, was so that the Dragon Marauder wouldn’t realize that their kidnapping plan had already become known by this side

By all rights, if the noble believers didn’t gather in large number at the cathedral, the enemy would also notice that their plan had been exposed

Thus, this time Lisha and co were also placed in hidden position

The waiting place for the four was on a stone balcony protruding out from the cathedral’s third floor

「Fuu At any case this country is really cold……, feels like I’ll freeze just by staying outside」

Lisha blew out white breath to her hands that were rubbing on each other while her body shi+vered

She earing fur coat on her body, but right under it was her pilot suit

「How about war watch, ill do it for a while」

「No, that’s no good」

Celis beside her was being considerate, but Lisha immediately shook her head

「Those Dragon Marauder bunches are aiht appear even if we are late just by several seconds Besides──Lux too should be feeling the same coldness about this time」

Lisha straightened her back and acted tough Celis’s expression loosened seeing that

「Consuood you know?」

「Both of you, here」

There, Philuffy as snacking on cookie at the back presented so with her empty hand

It was hot rock wrapped in fabric Lisha and Celis accepted that and said thanks

「Even so, that ero woman is a willful one like usual」

Adom, it was only Yoruka as at the rooftop of the cathedral instead of staying at the designated position

In order to perforuided to a place where it would be easy to receive instruction from Ymir’s side, but it seemed Yoruka’s decision was different

『My objective is to annihilate Aruji-sama’s enemy』

She asserted that, then said how the field of vision here was bad and left fro place

「Are you worried? Lisha-sama?」

「Wro-wrong, I’m not! No matter what happen to that indecent ero woman, that’s not do as she please!」

Lisha responded slightly panicked at Philuffy’s question

「How nice To have someone to fuss for you──」