Volume 10 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1 - Honeymoon With Childhood Friend

–

Part 1

The horse coach was shaking with clattering sound

The rhythmical sound played by the horse's hooves and the sound of the wheels rolling on the stone pavement

A voice suddenly came fro their body to that peaceful tune

「Master! Master Rudy! We are going to arrive soon How are you feeling?」

「N, nn……master who──!? ……Ah, yeah! It was pleasant」

Because he was sleepy, Lux was puzzled for aabout, but he quickly careement

When he straightened his back and stared outside the canopy, the scenery of a tall townscape ravity of the city's history came into view

The capital of Heiburg Republic, the castle town Hidehelm

Lux arrived at this city after a trip of three days frodom

「Are you alright with the inn here, Master Rudy?」

「Yes I alreadyisn't it?」

Rudy Eintoss

A young master as the heir of a prosperous otten o

That was the fake na Heiburg this time

The captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca zen Vanfrick gave him the special mission to search for the traitor of the world alliance Lux caate a certain transaction

Because headialca were friend with each other, this fake setting was also prepared by the guidance of those two but──

「But it's better to be careful yeah, young orous city, but behind the scene it is swarh」

The coach out froave out an ath

Thea worn-out tailcoat talked to Lux with a hinting smile

「If you want to drink delicious alcohol, there is a bar in that street there If you ohboring──」

「Wait, it's okay to not tell me that you know-!?」

Lux became flustered immediately when he heard the word brothel

「Oops, that's rude of ot the lady there If you have a wife that beautiful, there is no need to buy a woman eeh」

'Ha-ha-ha' The coachhed and stopped his coach

During that ti beside him to wake her up

「We arrived Phi-chan Wake up now」

「Munya ood」

Those voluptuous bulges of her breasts that were shaking together with her shoulder caused Lux's gaze to be attracted there unconsciously

Lux's childhood friend, Philuffy Aingraure was there to accoation

Her faintly pink hair was tied with a single ribbon She earing a dress with the chest part opened

According to Relie's story, in the setting they became 『need husband and wife from a prosperous mercantile house』 but──

(Is this setting really necessary……?)

Luxthat inside his heart

In the first place Lux was opposed to Philuffy accoerous, but,

『It's fine Because, I'll protect Lu-chan』

『Aa, hoonderful Phi! That's the spirit! Just leave the troublesos for later to me!』

Based on such really simple conversation, Philuffy's accompaniment was decided

Philuffy was studying martial art, in addition she also had the power of Abyss so she was ideal for protection duty but──Lux was still uneasy

But in reality, it was also a fact that there was no one else as suitable for it

Lisha, Krulcifer, and Celis were famous existences whose nah she excelled in stealth, she wasn't suited in acting following a fake setting while infiltrating

In the end, Lux whose silver hair was dyed black and Philuffy were appointed to this mission

「Haha, sorry tomaster You two really look like a need but, to think that you will also broughtmaster, how shrewd」

After Lux got out of the coach and unloaded his baggage, a servant of the inn came to welcome him

The inside of the inn was also refined to look fitting for a high class inn The building was built properly

It seemed that Relie reserved a hotel that could be trusted even inside the Heiburg's capital city but──

「As I thought, it become like this……」

There was only a single double bed inside the room they were showed to

The make-up of the room was completely for the use of husband and wife

(Don't tell ether?)

Lux entered the rooether

Until this point they had safely ed to infiltrate until this place that would be their base

「Phi-chan, are you tired? It seems that after this today there will be a party in the nearby social h?」

「I'm fine, I'm only just a bit sleepy Fua」

「At least say that with your eyes open……」

Lux sighed at his childhood friend's attitude that was still at her own pace even inside the ene relieved at the same time

Even though they were infiltrating into the ene, they were also burdened with the disguise of doing honeymoon trip

Philuffy's war atmosphere helped him from his nervousness that made him stiff and aard

By the way, to -Ride at all throughout the journey fro

After getting sent by Drag-Knights who had occupation carrier, the two of the horse coach to co trip, Philuffy as easy to fall asleep became like this

「Then, I'll go there alone, so Phi-chan just wait here I'll also eat at thatplace」

「Eat……, ill come out there?」

Instantly, the girl's eyes snapped open and Lux's iolden colored pupils

「……Err, it will be a buffet party with foods that used ingredients from various countries, and it's all you can eat」

「I'll also go I have to act properly, as Lu-chan's bodyguard]

Within her absent anticipation could be peeked Philuffy clenched her fist

Lux unconsciously smiled wryly and said

「Phi-chan In the middle of the party, that's……your role will be as my wife, that's why」

Lux's face was feeling hot even though he was just reuise this time

「Yes Take care of me, Lu-chan」

Philuffy responded with a faint sly

(Calm down me, it's not like Phi-chan is actually my wife for real……)

Although, as expected he felt conscious of it no matter what

Although it would be just a disguise, they would actually act like that, so Lux i as his spouse

His relationshi+p with Philuffy went past being a good friend, they were a bit like family with each other, but──

「Ei」

「Uwah!?」

The sensation of his cheek suddenly getting touched surprised Lux

Philuffy's fingertip was pocking on his cheek still with her serious face

「Lu-chan is, a bit nervous」

「It's no good, if you aren't a bit more like usual, you know?」

Lux stiffened with a speechless s what Philuffy pointed out

If he looked back, when they were children there were times when Philuffy asked him to play this kind of make believe

「Thank you Phi-chan Then, let's go together」

「Right」

Philuffy nodded slightly and slowly presented her hand to him

Lux took her hand and then they got into the coach waiting outside once more

The baggage they were carrying was filled with valuable parts and some merchandises

Attending the party this time would also become the preparatory steps for the infiltration mission

While they were advancing through the stone paving street inside the shaking coach again, a strange sight entered their eyes

Besides the lining up buildings that looked spectacular in a glance, there was a back alley that was interposed by thick stone walls Desolate slu there

(Heiburg Republic……)

When Lux saw that sight, he recalled the old empire in the past

Thethe traitor that was lurking within the world alliance

Lux quietly thought back to the reason why he was ordered by Magialca to carry out this mission

–

Part 2

Inside the underground library where countless bookshelves were lined up

In that hidden rooround, Lux couldn't believe what he was told

「What do you mean that there is a traitor within the world alliance?」

Lux asked back with bewilder, but she was a woman with personality of quite many years accumulated

The captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca zen Vanfrick

What the felomerate told him was actually a simple answer

The erasure of the traitor was one of the demands that Listelka, the imperial princess of the Lords mentioned at the world summit

Her first deon Marauder

Second, the investigation and discovery of the seventh Ruin, Moon

Third, the suppression of traitor that was assu within the alliance

All of those demands were presented by the lords as issue for the sake of conquering all the Ruins within half a year, but honestly speaking so felt out of place

「Well, we cannot assert that there is no traitor a silent about the information related to Ruin that has to be reported, every country isn't coht?」

Lux too could do nothing but staying quiet at the question that was filled with repulsive jest

Just like how Ymir Theocracy stayed quiet about the do one of the Grand Forces since soo

By the way, the Dark Marketer Hayes who attacked the new kingdom to destroy the country

Her existence that possessed the same traits like the ancient Lords──the person of Holy Arcadia Empire, after that Listelka was also questioned about her

『Yes, my little sister oke a few years earlier than me from our sleep I'm not sure why she rushed to do such act, but my little sister has redeeer and unease──that she has to take back what has been plundered fro our inability to stop my little sister's act that was the result of a ize as the representative of our side』

She easily reciprocated like that

If she said that the tragedy occurred because the people of the old eed by the Lords, then their side was also unable to press further

Although in regard to Hayes, there was also sign that she had already awakened since the time of human experiment in the era of the old e left about that

「Of course, the possibility that those fossilsthe traitor only as deterrence to the countries from here on also cannot be discounted But from the way they talked, I felt that they had a more definite idea about the traitor's existence」

「That's──?」

When Lux reflexively asked back, Magialca crossed her arrinned fearlessly

「You don't get the idea? It's the existence of the rebels called Dragon Marauder」

「……!? Dragon Marauder, is it?」

The waranization that was eainst the countries that werethe Ruins

A group that was si to conquer the Ruins should be an opponent that was unrelated to the traitor amidst the world alliance but──

「Don't tell me there is a traitor that is connected to them amidst us?」

When Lux spoke that cautiously, Magialca casted her eyes down and nodded

「Well, that's how it is In the first place there are several suspicious points about the Dragon Marauder's existences itself」

Magialca continued the talk while sighing

「It seeally excavated fro countries too aren't that stupid No one can steal from the Ruins that easily In that case, isn't it normal to think that at first there was a country so-Rides to them?」

「……Then, you are saying that there is a traitor in Heiburg Republic means──」

Lux ialca opened her eyes in admiration

「As expected froot prospect」

Magialca's finger tried to stroke Lux's chest with a natural er cut through the air in vain

「Cough The Black Marketer Hayes who raised havoc in the o That woon Marauder」

「How, can you reach that conclusion?」

「The ledger Even like this I'o, when I did a business of selling Drag-Ride with high price, for some reason there was a business rival who I couldn't et rich quick schemes that wouldn't come that often slipped away from me──」

「Eerr, then Hayes sold Drag-Rides that she brought out fro diverted theht?」

When Lux cut off Magialca's resentful complain with his question, she immediately nodded

「The possibility is there Using the Drag-Ride production facility that is ruas, that wo's army co that and cliist It was quite a possible reason wasn't it?」

「……Say, could it be captain is holding a grudge about that that time?」

When Lux spontaneously asked after hearing Magialca's tone that was overfloith cynicism,

「That's not true at all I only thought that there is no way a newco any petty trick and fraud can exist Soot crushed is sohtest」

「I, is that so…… But, even if Heiburg's on Marauder──now it's already too late」

Hayes had vanished, and nowadays Dragon Marauder's pro out

Lux thought that there would be no otiation with them

「No……that negotiation will surely happen before long Business relationshi+p isn't so that can be cut off that easily until you find the substitute With the increase of danger level of the Ruin at present, those Dragon Marauders are losing a lot of their force They got no other place to depend on other than Heiburg」

The rae of Dilwy that happened in Vanheim Principality

The failure of Pope Nias's kidnapping plan in Ymir Theocracy

And then the rescue operation of division codom just the other day

It wouldn't be wrong to consider that Dragon Marauder had lost quite a nu-Ride from those battles

Their rehts were less than 200, thus they would want to reinforce their battle force, surely

「But, Heiburg's ht?」

Even if Heiburg was connected with Dragon Marauder, in this situation after the Lord's i, they shouldn't be able to make contact carelessly

When Lux expressed his opinion, the irl chuckled and stared at him

「Then while sudden, here is a question In case you want to carry out a hidden transaction, what kind ofto use?」

「Hidden, transaction is it……?」

Even if he was asked that, he had no recollection of doing business discussion in his ti chores

But at the ti it, if it was fro the plan to destroy the old empire──

「I would do it behind the scene of so event, or else……」

「Mixed it inside that big event itself So will be holding a fair that is called as underground market」

「Ah……」

Lux reflexively slipped out his voice seeing Magialca's hinting smile

「Now you see Those Lord bunches will go around looking at the various unconquered Ruins while putting the world alliance under surveillance On the other hand because Heiburg had finished conquering GIgas, the surveillance on theround market is just the ideal chance?」

「Then──」

「Right If you can just pin down the transaction place, I'll be right behind you then Go carefully okay, mister hero」

Magialca's wicked smile looked like she had a hidden motive

When Lux was going to turn his back on her and left, she recalled so and said to him

「Aa, wait a second e from Relie about a differentthat you want? She will prepare anything you want as the reward of this mission you know?」

──Suddenly she said such thing that was unrelated with the main topic

–

Part 3

「Thank you for waiting, Rudy Eintoss-sama, Phianel-sama This is the banquet venue of our Viablue Company」

After a while, the coach finally arrived at a western-styleplace

Naturally, Lux and Philuffy's names were fake name

It see place, but right noas decorated nificently

The red carpet had a softness where it felt like the tip of one's feet would sink into it, while the chandelier was designed luxuriously

Extravagant dishes were lining up above the tablecloth, while even the plates and glasses were quality goods

Further around inside were also clad with extraordinary atmosphere

There was an oldat the participants with sharp glint, then a fatwith two beautiful women as his company

Lux thought it was great that he was brought by Relie and Philuffy to learn about company previously

If he acted restlessly in this kind of place, he wouldn't be in any state to gather information

「Oh, this is unusual You see, where do you come from?」

While Lux was thinking about such thing, a leana dress suit suddenly talked to him

For the ti Lux put into practice a line that he had prepared beforehand

He told the hboring country, and that the two of the their honeymoon at the same time

「Hou, how hardworking More i that beautiful wife an ornament as present──」

Like that the otiation, but Lux refused him mildly

On the other hand, Philuffy was silently continuing to eat the dishes on the table Till the end she was on her own pace

「Hohou You are quite the eater, how about it? After this let's have a drink──」

And so on, thefrom that, it appeared that Philuffy's charm was displayed as expected

Philuffy with her hair in a tied up hairstyle while wearing a dress with chic color gave an ihtly more adult than usual

Her big breasts that were peeking out froirly looks that still had the vague trace of childishness, they tickled the ereatly

Because she was his childhood friend since they were little, usually it was hard for Lux to be conscious of it, but Philuffy was really lovely

(But, it will be bad if Phi-chan get tricked, if I don't pay attention somehow──)

When Lux was observing Philuffy's action attentively like that,

「Even so, to co to participate in that event too young master?」

Another male merchant talked to Lux with deep interest

Lux i the estively

The underground 's company party

Lux heard froialca and Relie that there coal would be traded

However, to participate in the underground market itself wasn't that hard

Because ticket sellers ere selling the participation ticket were co a lot at this kind of party

However, if someone without connection tried to buy ticket, he heard that they would get ripped off by quiet much

「Could it be, it's that──? Is it?」

「Luckily for you I still have soot only two tickets coincidentally」

Lux s off ho his re stocks was left

But, it wasn't like Lux hiht to the point

「How much will it take for me to obtain it?」

「Let's see, how about this much?」

The man immediately took out ink and feather pen and wrote the sum

If it was the Lux when he was still at his chores period, the sum would make his eyes jumped out from their sockets, but now he had the war funds he received from Relie

In the first place this ti so there was no y

When Lux who thought that reached toward his wallet, the man's eyes sparkled

「Well, don't be so hurried to conclude this By the way, thethem?」

「Eerr──that's right, why?」

Most of the things that Lux brought here as ed into funds

These old coins were antique gold coin that Relie prepared for hih rarity value

It seeh price even as

「Can you show e the tickets with several of the coins」

「Got it Please take a look」

Luxthat was filled with the gold coins on the table

「Then excuse me……」

Theand took out one coin from there──

「Hmm? This isn't coin froold coin from the early days of Raize history」

「Eh……?」

Lux asked back in bewilderment

He found it hard to believe that Relie would ave him, but even when he asked a specialist appraiser as in the venue, it seemed that what the man said was true

(It didn't like he was doing any trick, could this be Relie-san's mistake?)

Lux didn't understand the subtle difference in the antique coins, so he could only ment

「It see Then, I think I will be able to part with ──」

「Lu-chan, wait」

At that tiet finalized, Philuffy came out from inside the crowd and approached Lux's side with one hand holding a huge meat with bone attached

「Wait, Phi-chan!? What are you doing?」

「Don't give the bag……okay? Because Onee-chan said it, those are antique gold coins Mogu uche」

「Ho, however this carved date and the coloring are without a doubt the early days'──」

The appraiser old ht her face closer and sniffed the smell

And then, she spoke with her usual expressionless face

「It's only that gold coin that smell different I think that perhaps, the other coins were the ones from Onee-chan」

「Wha-……!? Ju, just what are you saying……」

The man smiled bitterly at what Philuffy pointed out, but Lux didn't overlook his agitation

Philuffy pointed out that there was only one fake, in other words……

「I'm sorry appraiser-san Can I ask you to take a look at the rest of the golden coins too?」

「Right Oh──, certainly this one is genuine」

Saying that, Lux showed another gold coin to the appraiser Then the appraiser infor

Now that it had come to this, it was the ticket seller who first caotiation with him as suspicious

When Lux turned a suspecting gaze at the man, he started to make excuse in a hurry

「I see, it seeot mixed up In that case──」

「Inside your clothes, I sh?」

「Uguh……!?」

The ed when Philuffy pointed out He reflexively tried to turn around, but his hand was quickly caught and twisted

Right after that, even more antique coins and jewelries of different types were falling out from his sleeve

「This is──could it be」

When the appraiser checked them, anyone of them was valuable item, but the price was low or of inferior quality

In other words this ticket seller looked for a chance to ht it at lower price

Most likely he saw Lux's behavior and saw through that Lux was an amateur as a merchant and came to trick him But Philuffy's nose was outside his calculation

「This ticket, is real?」

Philuffy lightly twisted the man's arm and asked quietly

「U, undoubtedly! If I faked the ticket to enter the underground et killed!」

Lux nodded after hearing the ent voice and looked at Philuffy

Philuffy let go of the man's hand and quietly held out her hand

「Ah, yes The, the ticket is it? The, then just as I said I will give it up for five Raize gold coins──」

「I want, tickets for two」

「Eh……!?」

「Make it three coins for two people」

Philuffy told the bewildered man indifferently

Although the man was reluctant, because there was the case just now, in the end he was overwhelmed by Philuffy

「I get the ticket, Lu-chan」

「Ahaha……, thank you」

Philuffy showed a small smile, where Lux responded with a wry smile

Previously when he ith Relie to a coh fake otiation after that

(Perhaps Philuffy is really suited for doing business as expected……)

Her intention was hard to read with her absent at her own pace, it also meant that she wouldn't be carried by the other party's flow

And then, there was also the strength of her will that wouldn't yield once she had decided so

How should he say it, while he was feeling surprised, at the same time he also felt a bit lonely

Because they had been childhood friend since the past, but he thought that it would be his role to be reliable like that

At any rate, with this they had broke through the first wall

The opening of the undergroundto the ticket

Until then they would stay in this capital city Hidehelence

「Yes I also brought the share, for Lu-chan's meal」

「Ah, yes Thank you──wait, I cannot eat this much you know-!?」

Lux reflexively yelled when he looked at the amount of dish Philuffy put on the plate

Grilled chicken with herb, mash potato, fish sauté, assortreat amount of food

「Because Onee-chan told me, a wife has to prepare her husband's meal」

「The essential way of doing it is careless though!?」

「As husband and wife, we have to act natural, Onee-chan said to me」

「This is conspicuous instead!? In various o!?」

When Lux tried to return the dishes, he was told by the banquet's cook to please eat it with a s face

It seemed that he was really pleased by the way Philuffy ate

「Here Lu-chan Open your mouth, aahn」

「Why are you acting like always only in that kind of thing!?」

Although, seeing how they had to keep the appearance of doing honey her act was also unnatural

(Soether with Philuffy……)

In the first place, didn't they pretend to be spouses so they wouldn't be standing out?

Lux was thinking such question in his head while passing tih the party with Philuffy

–

Part 4

「Fuu…… We , I think?」

At their return home from the western-style mansion that was the banquet venue

Lux and Philuffy were sloalking through the town

Although it wasn't snowing, because it was early winter the night felt cold to the skin, and the as penetrating into the body even through the coat

They didn't get back straight to the inn with coach in order to learn Heiburg's geography

And Lux and Philuffy had another reason to do this, a hidden objective

Even so──it was strange

Even though this should be the first tiic air could be felt from the scenery

He felt that hi hand with Philuffy also so

「So in town like this with Lu-chan」

「……You're, right The last time was at Airi's birthday I think」

A memory was replayed at the back of Lux's mind at the same time when he whispered that

It hen he was a child, when he was playing with Philuffy at the imperial capital

Noro out to the city much, but sometimes they would went out behind their parents' back

When they went to buy stuffed toy for Airi's present, Lux wore a hat low over his eyes so he wouldn't get found out as a prince They went around at shops together then