Vol 10 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Chapter 5

Episode 5 – First Ruin ──Babel──

–

Part 1

「Then Rudi……no, Lux-san will depart from this country already then?」

Theof the next day

Lux who soet up borrowed Philuffy’s shoulder and cairl, Stefa Hersmice

Saved by Philuffy’s consideration, the necessity of pretending to do honey his hair since the battle against Rosa

The same like before, they entered a deserted tea house without any sign of customer and talked about the particulars of the event this time

Lux told Stefa that he was afor an investigation, and he also told her everything about what happened in the underground ainst Rosa

Originally Lux also invited Calensia to co with him and Philuffy that she should etically smiled and refused

『I was unable to do anything even while knowing about Rosa’s wrongdoing My fae and the best I could do was to protect myself── There was no choice left but to kill Rosa Someone like me have no qualification to meet Stefa』

Calensia told Lux that included within those hostages was none other than Stefa herself She asked Lux to tell Stefa a e from her

And then she said that she would prepare a counterainst Rosa’sin the new kingdoathered proof of her wrongdoings until now

Or rather, Calensia would also fly to the new kingdom around the same ti with her the records about the transaction with the Dragon Marauders for him too

Rosa herself was terribly wounded It was judged that she wouldn’t be able to ride Drag-Ride for three months

Although it couldn’t be said that it was completely settled, with this the case this time could be closed and headed toward the conclusion

By the way, Tillfur and Noct returned to the new kingdom ahead They would report about this matter to Lisha, Relie, and Lord Dist

『Ah, speaking about that, if there is so that you want, I’ll tell it to the headmaster you know? Lux-chi too cannot be underestimated eeh』

Tillfur said that when she was about to depart Most likely it was about the reward that Magialca

It must be also Relie’s instruction for them to choose a present for his little sister’s birthday in the place of Lux orked to death by this mission

He was also aware about the matter of present for Philuffy’s birthday in the corner of his head, but in the end he didn’t find anything like that in Heiburg’s party and the underground market

And so, Lux consulted Tillfur as froround of fae of what he wanted

『Hive to someone? I also ree-ally want a present』

She teased hirin like that, but it felt like she would send his letter obediently

A few days later after sending off the two

The tidom finally arrived

「I’m still unable to believe about the matter of Rosa That’s why, as soon as I obtain the pero meet her」

「I’h I should also ask various things about Lady Rosa myself」

Lux who collapsed because of Over Limit’s backlash was unable to meet with Rosa since then

He only heard froround dprison

「N

o, I’s Certainly, Rosa pushed e of her past self re」

That was the reason why Rosa didn’t kill Stefa and kept her away

「I’ll ask Calensia to allow me to meet Rosa one more time I want to be brave and try to talk to her Really, thank you very much」

The blind girl as using cane shtly and bowed her head to Lux

Lux too was also helped by her inforuidance

He said his thanks for those and parted from her

When he went outside first, an unexpected person aiting for him in front of the bar

「Thanks for your hard work Lux-kun I’ll also go back first to Vanheim Principality after this Surely even that Greifer is worried right now」

「Thank you We were saved that Coral came here」

「No More ilad That you didn’t kill Rosa at that time Thanks to that, I can have a bit of confidence with 」

「Eh……?」

「Nn, no It’s about my own circumstance Rather than that──now」

Coral suddenly brought his lips closer to Lux’s ear and quietly whispered

「Be careful Lux-kun I investigated in my oay about the chain of events this tie」

「Soe……?」

Lux asked back to Coral with a doubtful expression

「Yes This ti of Vices independently because of the specialthe opening when Lady Rosa got defeated, I tried searching inside the military com was Rosa’s deed」

「……And, what about it?」

Lux tilted his head, unable to understand what Coral meant

Rosa was round market and the military’s stock was just as he expected

To be able to obtain the proof of that, wasn’t that so to be happy about without reserve?

「And yet, when I looked at the crucial places like her office or the commander’s roos for the transaction were gathered I also didn’t find the place of the treasures and Elixir from Ruin that she should have procured fro that is like cipher」

「That’s, in other words……?」

Lux didn’t understand theof what Coral wanted to say

「I cannot say anything concrete But so, the crucial Ruin’s treasures are -Ride and a single horn flute The number doesn’t match up at all」

「…………」

After hearing Coral’s story, certainly soe

Were the treasures handed over already to the Servants?

No, even that felt out of place somehow

But, Lux was unable to express it into words and they parted like that

「Sayonara Lux-kun Let’s ain, don’t die okay?」

「Coral yourself, be careful」

Coral only said that and turned around, then he flew his EX Wyvern and went up high to the sky

Lux waved his hand and sent off the back of his friend, then he fell into his thought

Even though the proof of the transaction remained, the route to the treasures was unknown

Did Rosa herself hide the treasures soot defeated?

Either way, he could do nothing but waiting for Calensia’s report

「Let’s go too, Phi-chan If we don’t hurry back, sodom──」

「Yes」

Philuffy nodded shortly and headed to a deserted back alley

There Sharis of the Triad aiting in advance as promised

「Even princess Lisha and others are waiting eagerly for your return Now, both of you, please change into your pilot suit」

Sharis was staying alone here was to carry Lux and Phillufy using Wyvern’s flight, in order to avoid the troubleso border

Lux was unable to use Wyvern because of his exhaustion, and Philuffy using her Typhon to run on the ground would be too conspicuous

Tillfur and Noct already left Heiburg They were going to catch up with the

「Sharis-san, you don’t need to force yourself It’s really far from here until the port city Triport」

This time, the Triad who came to assist them were also really helpful

Lux said that with the intention to be considerate to Sharis, but Sharis’s face was lacking composure

「No, unfortunately there is no roo on your kindness We held back fro, but the current situation in Triport is already getting dangerous」

「-…… That’s, don’t tell me──」

Sharis nodded shortly and directed a serious gaze at him

「Yeah, the stationed troops of Heiburg Republic had arrived at the eleventh floor the other day If we are unlucky, the Ragnarok ht be liberated within these few days」

Lux held his breath Even Philuffy opened her eyes slightly wider

If the thirteenth floor was assuhest floor, then there was only one floor left that was separating Heiburg military from it

If Heiburgjust like Rosa h chance that they would direct the Ragnarok to Triport deliberately

「Please Sharis-san Bring us as quick──」

「I intend to do so, leave it to me」

The leader of Triad nodded in respond to the nervous voice of Lux

Right after that, the Wyvern carrying the two flew high to the sky and rushed in full speed

–

Part 2

Several screa intermittently above

「Haa, haa…… Haa……-!」

An underground prison that was enclosed with stone walls around

A girl was being hung doith chain inside

She was only barely clothed orn out rag Her expression was coard

「Why, why…… Why」

She kept her hollow gaze directed toward a corner of the prison and continued to murmur with hoarse voice that sounded delirious

When Rosa was defeated by Lux, a single leg and ariven si restrained like this

Even though she had persisted on the path of evil, she was defeated

Rosa’s faith was s for her life

Surely she was already abandoned

In that case, everything was over already

The things that she had sacrificed to co that she tried to protect until now too

「Why If in the end so that I did until noas──」

Rosa groaned with a grieving expression

Then, in a tiround prison’s door was slowly opened

「──!? A, aa……」

Seeing the face of the wo fiercely

The woman was soaked with blood

And then, the shter that had ended above just now

Guessing the tragedy that would happen to her after this, Rosa’s expression was dyed with despair

「How do you do Rosa? I’ood news for you I want you to cooperate withthat, you will be able to come back once more to your position」

Saying that, the woman in front of her presented her plan

A few ure vanished from the prison

–

Part 3

「This place, is port city Triport……?」

They had Sharis flying in full speed until they arrived in the new kingdodo Philuffy’s Typhon

By the way, th and fell exhausted, so she rested while right now only Lux and Philuffy arrived ahead in the port city

The ti into the horizon, illu the port city beautifully

It was a port city with history that was governed by Celis’s father, the feudal lord of new kingdom’s west territory

Even though there was Babel located relatively nearby, it should be a lively and bustling port city due to the protection of the troops commanded by Dist, but──

「Soe too」

Philuffy was unusuallyat the silent townscape

They also couldn’t see n of people

A desolate ath the city had been abandoned

「There is also Onee-chan’s coo take a look for a bit, okay?」

After staring at that sight absent at a large building far away

「Yes It’s all right already after coo ahead」

「……Understood」

He wasn’t just being considerate of Philuffy, Lux hiate before the sun set

Thus Lux was going to head to a place where he would be able to get a clear view of the port, then──

「Oh, you there, are you a Drag-Knight who cah」

Suddenly when Lux turned around, a bald and thin old man addressed him

「No, I’ happen to this Triport?」

「It’s unbelievable Heiburg’s force has only co this city completely」

The oldabout the current situation

In order to conquer Babel, this port city wasfrequently

Even recently when the Ruins were invigorated, Abyss would appear with the frequency of five, six tiht now more than ten would appear in a day

Nothing serious happened due to the conspicuous effort of Lisha and others who assisted the new kingdo city appeared without end Heiburg troops were increasingly acting as they pleased

「What’sthat a specially large Abyss called Ragnarok will appear soon The population of this Triport is reduced until less than a third Even they are unable to walk around outside at daytiive reception to Heiburg soldiers who finished working It’s only natural that everyone hates it with this situation」

「……-!? What are the soldiers of the new kingdo?」

Lux asked in hurry, but the old hed and shook his head

「Unfortunately, during these teeks the nuht are decreased by a lot Thanks to that large swarhts were injured」

「Is, that so……」

No matter how active Lisha and others were in their effort, they weren’t able to stop all the Abysses that appeared And their Drag-Ride operational time was also limited

During that tiht and used up their strength

If this was the case, he needed to report about Rosa’s matter even for a second faster

How her sin was exposed in Heiburg, and Babel’s conquering had to be stopped

「I’m sorry, who is the current commander of the force that is dispatched here?」

「Hm……? No, I’command in the frontline base nearby Babel, but more importantly, that collar, could it be you are──」

「Ah, yes I’m Lux Arcadia A prince of the former old empire……」

Lux s at his own collar

At his period of doing chores, he hadn’t staying for long at Triport, so his face wasn’t well known here

But, the silver hair and eyes that were characteristic of the imperial family

And then the collar of criminal was the symbol of that, but because of thesun, it seemed the old man didn’t notice until now

「I, is that so…… You are──then, excuse me」

「……?」

The bald oldto leave from that place

Even though Lux was feeling so out of place, he could only tilt his head in puzzlement

「Is it as I thought, that everyone is in the front line fortress near Babel?」

Although from the story that the Triad told hi stopped the Ruin conquering at sunset

In other words, no Abyss would appear from now until tomorrow

Lux judged that his option at present was to reunite with Philuffy here, and then linked up with Lisha and others who returned from the frontline

「Today will come to an end soon huh──」

Looking closer, the evening sun had set co to descend

When Lux focused on e presence suddenly came from behind

「Hoo, so this is that famous Black Hero? Aren’t you still a cute boy?」

The one who appeared was a wo black military uniform

Siant hostility that overwhel of hers resembled the imperial family and nobles of the old empire

「You are──」

「What, I’ It will be troubleso another person」

While Lux was bewildered, the woman walked closer with a fearless sround

「My na Republic Traitor Lux Arcadia I will capture you now and present you to the world alliance」

「……Wha-!?」

The moment she told him that, Lux’s expression showed bewilderment

「Oops, don’t move My subordinates are already behind you You won’t be able to dodge a barrage from Breath Gun with that injured body」

The moment Gutefelica introduced herself, the space behind her distorted and Drag-Ride appeared from the empty spot

It o Heiburg soldiers wearing general purpose Drag-Ride who appeared

Using the function of special equipe

「What are you planning? Pointing weapon at someone in the middle of city like this」

As expected even Lux had to raise both his hands with a doubtful face

But, in contrast Gutefelica didn’t change her bewitching sht her face closer to Lux

「Well well, aren’t you a kid orse perceptiveness than I thought? Are you listening? I’ll give you a hint It was the old man just noho told us about your location He is a citizen of this port city The notice that those who inforiven o」

The moment Lux saw the wicked sh his back

Now Lux realized the fatal carelessness he had committed

The sense of liberation fro and his exhausted body was diht

「Hoo, you area clueless face Then I’ll point out your wretchedness onceto atteBabel You daainst world alliance!」

Gutenfelica saze at Lux

The moment Lux sensed that, his hand almost reached out toward his Sword Device, but he stopped

「Good kid Nothing good will co ruckus here I’ll be affectionate to you if you are obedient It will be as h……」

「My, you’re wrong That conclusion is a 」

「……!?」

A girl’s voice suddenly came from somewhere

Theunusual happened

「Gu, AAAH!」

「Wha, what The Drag-Ride’s control is──」

「What are you all doing-!?」

Heiburg troops ere riding Drake suddenly raised their Blade against Gutefelica

Even so as expected froainst the surprise attack and barely dodged

At the same ti, Lux’s body floated to the air

「Chih! You think you can get away! Surround the town and search him! Don’t let him escape from this city-!」

But, while she was obstructed by two Drakes, Lux was safely rescued from that place

What took away Lux and carried hie

It was one of the students frodom

「Yoruka!? Why are you here──!?」

「Aruji-sa I am always by Aruji-sama’s side」

Lux realized that he was rescued by Yoruka earing Divine Drag-Ride Yato no Kami

She was also requested by the new kingdouard this Triport

「What is this situation? Philuffy, is she safe!?」

「There is no need to worry She is also being sheltered by the headainst her, in this situation right noill be better if she don’t show herself」

It seemed that the treatment as criminal didn’t reach as far as Philuffy

But, although he comprehended the current situation, there were several inexplicable things

「──Now, I believe around here will be fine」

Suddenly Yoruka stopped Yato no Karound

There they seehborhood for the wealthy within Triport Relatively big residences were lining up

Surely there were a lot of traders here who did business in the port

「It see, so I will lure her suitably before giving her the slip If Aruji-saht this street, you will arrive at our hideout」

「Thank you But, don’t be reckless I still don’t comprehend this situation」

「As you will it, Aruji-sama」

Yoruka kicked on the air oncesmile

After seeing her off, Lux started walking through the street of the residential district

Perhaps because the sun had set co darkness, Lux was feeling a strange gaze on him

After parting from Yoruka, he could clearly hear the sound of footstep following him

(Is it a new pursuer fro military? Or else──)

Lux once more felt for real that there was prize money for his head

Right now limited to this place, even the citizens of Triport would tattle about Lux’s location

He had to soht noas hard to even escape for Lux

When he was thinking that, a girl alking frohtly far away quickly took Lux’s hand and broke into a run

「This way Our hideout is underground slightly far from here」

「Krulcifer-san!? Why──」

The echo of that fa

After she took off the hat hiding her face, she brushed up her long blue hair which exposed the side of her beautiful face

The overseas student as Lux’s classmate and was extremely intimate with him was there

「You noticed a bit late, but I’ll forgive you It looks like Lux-kun too has gone through various troubles」

She displayed her usual cool s him that

Lux sighed in relieve, then he heard the faint sound of Drag-Ridefrom behind

「Wait! What are you doingthe achievement by yourself!? I’m also here you know!?」

Almost at the sa beside him

Lisha wearing Drake was on his side unnoticed

「I wonder what are you talking about? It was you who decided to focus fully on using ca device because it will be conspicuous to wear Drag-Ride in the open」

「That’s true but……, right now it’s fine There is no sign of anyone in pursuit or the reaction of other Drag-Ride」

「……Haa, good grief Then, let’s proceed straight to the safe house like this」

Prohed in exasperation, they knocked on the back door of a church

「──It’shim with me」

After Krulcifer shortly said that, the church’s door was opened

Then, a young nun wearing a veil appeared and slowly beckoned to come in

It see with Lux

「Thank you very much You saved us」

When Lux’s expression relaxed in relieve and he said his gratitude, the nun quickly turned around and looked up at Lux with a reproachful gaze

「Your welco It is difficult to follow up Nii-san who is bringing trouble right as soon as you came back」

「Wait, Airi!? Why are you dressed like that──!?」

「Does it looks good on ot captured, I have no choice but to hide like this After all they were trying to capture me who is your little sister to be used as bait to lure out Nii-san」

「…………」

Airi’s smile that was plainly filled with thorn caused Lux to stiffen in mute amazement

「How about you let hi unpleasant for him too」

When Krulcifer calmly persuaded her so, Airi cli inside an underground passage

「This way Everyone is waiting already」

「This place, just where──?」

Lux e Airi iaze to the front

「It’s a hidden passage for use of a rich person」

After telling him that frankly, Krulcifer added some more explanation for him

Originally it was an underground ay for ency hideout as well as an escape route It seemed that it was further connected to the church and other escape route

It was a hidden passage because of the consideration of the city’s nearness to the Ruin Babel

There was nothing underground, but it could connect to the inside of each residence

Even the new kingdoe

After walking for a while inside the dark passage with a lantern in hand, they opened the lock of a door that connected to a side path

From there they climbed up a stair to directly above, and came out into a basement that was like a wine cellar

「This seeralomerate It’s not known publicly, so you can relax here」

Following Krulcifer’s guidance, Lux entered inside the residence

They headed to the living room of the mansion where all the ere covered with curtain and they finally could relax

「And so, ere able to collect Lux safely Originally I planned to open a celebration wine for the success of the secret investigation but──」

Lisha faltered mid-sentence

「Just what is happening in this city? About the rewarda traitor──」

「It’s not just this city, it’s the whole country Nii-san Right now Nii-san is in the position where even the new kingdoinally should be captured by the new kingdom military as bait to lure out Nii-san」

When he listened to the detailed story, it seemed that before the Triad could report about Rosa’s backroo, a report that Lux was a traitor who tried to assassinate Rosa came

And then the fean to oppress the people of the new kingdoo

First the Drag-Knights including Lisha and others had their action restricted to only around the port They were forbidden to approach toward Babel

Further without regard of the citizen or new kingdom military They even broke into the houses

Because of that rough intervention, the heart of the citizens suffered daer

「Even so, just what in the world happened……?」

The story sounded simple, but there were several incomprehensible parts

Seeing at the chronological order, the next day after that evening where Lux fought Rosa and cornered her, a e that Lux was a traitor had already departed to here

「However, how did the other side exposed my infiltration? There should be no proof or any──」

「There is a proof I was also astonished at first though……」

Lisha hung down her head with a sigh

Like that, Lux touched the sword belt on his waist

Originally there were tord Devices hanging from there Now one of the sheaths was empty──

The Sword Device of his Wyvern was lost amidst the confusion of that battle

Without the corresponding Sword Device, the Drag-Ride couldn’t be moved Because of that, even now his Wyvern was unable to be lo capital Hidehelm──