Volume 11 Chapter 2 (2/2)

And then Coral declared like that conservatively which was just like him and he stepped forward

「Theeen, the last match Battle -Start-!」

While Lux and others atching from the spectator seats, the battle finally started

「The match this ti if anyone get injured」

Airi as sitting beside Lux added an explanation

It was one of the rules that was also used in tourna pointclean hit on the opponent rather thanthe opponent unable to act

In the end it would be fine if they could just land a hit, so the daht could be suppressed It inner or for expert

By the hen it was the flying type Wyvern that fought, they would be unreachable if they continued to escape to the sky, so their flight was limited to a certain altitude until ten second in maximum

At the same time with the start of the battle, if Coral went by the book, he should drive his Wyvern to take distance and observed the situation but──, he suddenly assaulted forward in full speed

『Uwa! It's a boldness that doesn't match his face!』

Tillfur as deploying barrier raised astonished voice froaphone, but Sharis added calmly

「No, it's not a bad decision In the close distance right after the battle opening, Wyvern can still be chased if Drake advanced forith its Step In other words──」(TN: Just a res)

「Yes If he predicted that Yoruka-san would guess that he would take distance and then chase after hiht be passable」

In a direct clash, then Wyvern with its mobility that could take the overhead position of the enee

Thus there would be no probleed Yoruka froure vanished from before him

From the view point of Lux and others at the spectator seats, Yoruka's position was at the right of Coral as rushi+ng ahead──Yoruka was in the blind spot that was hidden by Coral's arht handed Coral lifted up his Blade

「Side Step!? She predicted even this situation!?」

While Airi raised her voice in surprise, Lux groaned

Yoruka didn't simply predict Coral's first move, on the contrary she even escaped to a position where she could launch a sure kill attack

Furthere function of Drake that was the special equipment type

When a Drake switched into offense, the effectiveness of their cae function should drop re

Therefore there was no problem

Coral noticed Yoruka's tactic a beat later and he turned right

At that instant, the slash in super speed that ca his wrist

「──Quick Draw」

Right after the slash landed, Yoruka who had appeared smiled fearlessly

Coral dropped his Blade froht wrist of his Wyvern

『Due to the success et! Nooow then, with this the score is 2 to 0, in the end will Coral──!』

「No, that's wrong」

But, even after dropping the Blade froht hand, Coral still showed composure

「……Yes, the score is a tie of 2 to 2」

In respond Yoruka made her Drake did a Step and took distance far away backward

The Blade her ar had vanished

「What is theof this? Why does Yoruka-san's Blade disappear──」

「That's not it Airi Coral took it away!」

Lux faced Airi whose eyes snapped wide open spontaneously and he added explanation

At the sa at his side also talked in astonishment

「He predicted Yoruka's tactic!? No, he got outwitted, but he immediately reacted」

A Wire Tail was grasped without anyone noticing in the left hand of Coral's Wyvern

With that, Lux solved the puzzle

「You are a sly fox despite your appearance aren't you? To think that you gave the impression that the Blade is yourWire Tail」

「About being a bad person, aren't we the saht that was it for me just now」

Coral and Yoruka who faced each other in the distance exchanged banter with each other

Froht after Coral's right armored arm was struck, he wrapped his Wire Tail around the Drake's Blade and snatched it away

At first he only readied his Blade, but theof the battle, his left hand grabbed the Wire Tail

In short, Coral contrived a plan to block Yoruka's first attack using his Blade, then at the sale Yoruka's Blade with his Wire Tail

Although that plan failed due to Yoruka's surprise attack, he reflexively covered it up by swinging his whip

To be able to unleash an attack that precise at the spur of thewhip as his main weapon

Lux briefly explained like that, but Airi tilted her head

「But, isn't that unusual? I too have seen several hundred -Ride until now but, if I have to say, Wire Tail is a supple it as their h──」

「I also have never seen anyone like that Or rather, to the end Wire Tail is used only as sub weapon in military acadey through it」

「──That's what they said Is there a secret to it?」(Yoruka)

After taking enough distance, Yoruka was gradually closing the distance

Her hands that had lost the Blade were holding two Daggers

With the rule this tiround would be considered as 『destroyed iteain

Yoruka was a pure swordsers

「In the first place a whip isn't a suitable weapon to face Abyss with, it's disadvantageous using it when facing against many In addition its ability to wound and kill is also low It won't be effective against Drag-Knight that is using armor and barrier」(Yoruka)

In addition, there was also a risk of hitting co whip

Even if for exa Wire Tail, he should be in an overwhelainst Yoruka as a master of Blade

「That ht be so But my surprise attack succeeded like this as you can see And you yourself, with just those Daggers that cannot even be filled with energy, you won't be able to pierce ree?」

Yoruka's mild provocation was also returned calmly by Coral

The Wire Tail ht not be useful anymore now, but at present Coral who had snatched Yoruka's Blade had the advantage

Yoruka also still had Cannon, but it wouldn't be able to easily hit Wyvern with its high mobility

Lux was analyzing it like that at the corner of his head, and right after that, the Drake charged with explosive acceleration

The Dagger was thrown, and then a high speed Step that was chasing after it

Wind was ejected fro the Drake It closed in instantly

On the other hand, Coral reacted caler with his Wire Tail, but another Dagger that was hiding on the shadow of the first one was approaching

「Kuh……!」

Coral as taken by surprise deployed his barrier and blocked the second Dagger

Further his Blade toward the right shoulder──but, Yoruka clapped her two arht the Blade in between

「That's──!?」

Coral was shocked, even so he launched Howling Hoard the torso of the Drake that ide open

Yoruka was blown backward, even so she snatched back the Blade from the Wyvern's armored arm

「This is called sword catching With this the table is turned isn't it?」

The students at the spectator seats gulped seeing the uniinable offense and defense

With this the situation was even

No, even if the teapon skill was equal, but fro lead once more

『With the Howling Howl hitting, two point for Coral! And with the recapture of her weapon, two point in addition for Yoruka! The fight is really closeee』

The point was 4 to 4, but in reality theits climax

Coral used his free hand to take out his Breath Gun in preparation of the next exchange

──But, the moment he already took his stance, his shoulder where the Force Core was hidden was slashed

「Wha-……!」

Coral's eyes were opened wide in shock

Seen fro and then slashi+ng normally, but the reality was different

「That's──Instant Strike」

Yoruka's special move that aimed to attack the moment the concentration of the opponent's consciousness cut off

In addition she skillfully avoided the barrier and landed her hit

The direct attack to the shoulder where the Force Core was located would cause the decrease in the Drag-Ride's performance, at the same ti point system

『Due to the hit at the Force Core, the winner is Yoruka──』

「No, it's a draw」

Yoruka faced Tillfur as declaring the winner and showed a smile

The Sword Device of the Drake she earing that was located in the sword belt at her waist was entangled hip like before

「Ah……」

Lisha and Airi noticed that and raised their voice

Getting one's Sword Device taken aas also a losing condition in point system match

Even in real battle, it would directly lead to defeat if the Sword Device that was the control stick for mind control operation was taken away

『I, it's a draw! Due to both sides fulfilling the winning condition simultaneously, this final match become a draw!』

After Sharis proclaiaphone, cheers rose from the venue

Voices that praised Yoruka's bottoth

And then, the compliments for Coral, the handso into the Acadeth that wasn't inferior to Yoruka were also flying around

「That's a Yoruka-san Please enter Syvalles too no matter what!」

「Coral-kun, that onderful──, please train us too!」

And so on, applauses and cheers were raining dohile the two dispelled their armor and faced each other

「As expected, your skill with Drag-Ride is aot me」

「I' such skill──」

Right after Yoruka slashed, Coral's whip slipped through her Drake's barrier and entangled around the handle of her Sword Device That technique also surprised Lux

「No As I thought you are better than , I also took you by surprise And even with that I still cannot win」

Coral told that with a reserved attitude Yoruka smiled in response and,

「However, I'lad, how you showed your seriousness for the sake of Aruji-sama If it's like that, then I can trust you a little」

「Ah……」

Coral was taken aback It was there the Triad who acted as referee rushed in

The leader Sharis wedged in between the two and told the verdict

「Both of you werethis teeks until Sir Coral return back, you till guard Lux-kun alternately, is it fine like that?」

「Yes I look forward to ith you」

「Understood」

Coral and Yoruka each nodded and it felt like the case was closed with that

But, Lisha rushed out from the spectator seat in panic

「HEY, WAIT A SECOOOoNDD! Don't decide it as you pleased between just you two! If you two monopolize Lux alternately like that, what about me huh!」

「Err, Lisha-sama It's not like Coral and Yoruka will stay beside o to meet Lisha-sama myself then」

「Lu-chan's guard, is my role」

「Ah, it's fine even without Philuffy doing that It's, while I'

Next Philuffy also said that expressionlessly After Lux dealt with that too, it seemed that the talk was settled somehow

「After everything is said and done, Nii-san is naïve as always」

The place calmed down even with the poisonous words Airi speith reproachful gaze toward him

Although the fe at Coral and Yoruka enviously, they were satisfied with the result of the event and they breakup from there

–

Part 2

「Just what have I done I got into Krulcifer's cajolery against ht I wonder……?」

Inside a hotel room that was sparse in furniture but looked neat, Celis was htly with hot water

Celis was travelling toward the land of far east frodom

What she was recalling was the happening in the Academy as expected

Inside her heart, she was envying Krulcifer who only returned to her hoer to Ye

Furtherot carried away by Krulcifer's cajolery and did so that was inappropriate for the captain of Syvalles

『Celis-senpai, I wish to consult with you for a bit, is it fine?』

A few days before they departed to other country, Krulcifer brought to her a certain talk with a ful expression

She was asking Celis if she could request so due to the aide exchange

Celis was naturally tilting her head in puzzlement But Krulcifer continued the talk with a cool expression

『I' Coral-kun to take care of Lux-kun I told hiets into trouble with the girls in the Academy, and so I asked him who is a boy to follow up after Lux-kun』

『Certainly Lux often caused that kind of proble which need to be focused on like that?』

Celis replied like that In respond, Krulcifer shrugged her shoulders slightly

『I don't really like to speak bluntly like this but, at this rate Lux-kun will get taken away you know?』

Krulcifer showed an unusually anxious expression whilethis kind of supposition

In the sham honeymoon trip with Philuffy, Lux deepened his bond considerably with her

It was to the degree that Lux even presented her with a neord belt and told her that he wanted her to stay by his side when previously he wanted to distant her fro if possible

If she and Celis went away fro, head chance and scheether

If that happened, by the time the two of them returned back, there was even the possibility that the tould get hitched already

『In the worst case, Lux-kun ht be released from his criminal collar and the matter will be over before the case of Sacred Eclipse is taken care of Because of that, a deterrence is necessary while we aren't there』

『That's──』

『It's a simple matter It will be fine if two people other than that childhood friend quarreled over Lux-kun If Lux-kun's surrounding is constantly turbulent, it will beco Besides, the truth is that there is danger around Lux-kun for real right now correct? I believe that irl isn't a mistake』

Celis even felt admiration toward Krulcifer who even shrewdly prepared a reason for Celis, but in short this also meant that the situation was that serious that Krulcifer couldn't even bother to keep up appearance

Krulcifer told Coral that Yoruka was dangerous so she wanted him to watch her

And if Celis told Yoruka that Coral was dangerous so she wanted her to watch him, one of the tould inevitably stay at Lux's side constantly

(That girl is troubling Besides, I who also got convinced reat nobles)

Celis was recalling such thing around that time when the match between Yoruka and Coral was settled for the moment

Celis who departed fro had also arrived at the vicinity of Marcafal Kingdom

Even when she was flying using Drag-Ride, it took two days Because of that tonight she stayed in the inn of a small country Remdalt that was located in a mountain district Tomorrow she would arrive at her destination

She was basically travelling with the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca She was rest assured with her strength, but──

「As expected, I cannot letanything like that, est?」

Perhaps she didn't want to waste even the slightest tiialca showed her face to the co of ore using Drag-Ride, then she showed her face at Celis's room and said that

The inn's room was spacious and tidy, but they didn't stay in the same room

She was sitting on the bed where Celis would sleep, wearing negligee with showy pattern

「Don't be that still, how about you also drink some alcohol? Let's talk without reserve as fellooman, hm?」

「I refuse If soet drunk easily like me drink alcohol, it will become a hindrance for my duty」

Magialca thrust a glass filled in toward her, but Celis refused it curtly

Magialca Zen Vanfrick

She was a girl wearing outfit that possessed functional beauty and flashi+ness that was like a merchant, or perhaps like an alchemist The style of her hair that was tied up to form loops was her distinctive trait

Looking froer than Celis, but she was leading the world's biggest company and possessed enormous influence in every country This woman was also someone mysterious

「Hrent, but if you are too serious you will find yourself having the rug pulled fro out each country's intention, but you won't last for teeks if you are baring your hostility like that right?」

What Magialca said was correct, but there was also no way she could easily relax here

Because although Celis tried to sound out the intention of Marcafal Kingdoialca, but there was also the possibility of thedom from her instead

「Then, is it alright if I ask several question?」

「Oo, you can ask lass of this for each question」

「That's not permitted If you say that then I'll sleep already」

「Haa, you are an Ojou-sama who cannot be joked with just as the rumor say And, what do you want to ask? I will answer question positively other than ht」

「Who are you really? Why did you accept the position like being the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins when you have aeneration?」

「Aa, ait You are going to ask three questions at once? Fros yourself for the answer you know?」

After Magialca said that soan to think for a while

If the number of question was limited, then what should she ask the most?

「Even so, your questions are really frank and sharp If you pressed htforwardly, even I will be perplexed of how to answer」

Magialca smiled with a troubled look

「Well, there is no doubt that I'm in the opposite spectrum of you who harden yourself with discipline and act like a splendid noble」

After telling that boastfully, Magialca started to toy with her orange hair that was tied into loop

「Even though I look like this, I'm an orphan My parents who failed in business abandoned the child h many twists and turns, my relative, an uncle as a htwas also inherited fro sounded like froeneration in the raw)

「Fortunately I had talent I absorbed and learned his technique in the blink of eye And then when I becae, my aspiration toward commerce couldn't be stopped」

「Were you burdened with your parents' debt?」

「No」

Magialca silently shook her head

「I cannot say that I had no resentment at all about hoas abandoned As expected I also had lingering attachment Besides if my parents are still alive in the world of coe I also put such hope in my work」

「Then, could it be that hairstyle is──」

It suited her, but it was a strange hairstyle that vaguely looked childish

Perhaps her hairstyle and also her looks that looked like a young girl despite her ageher youthful appearance in order to make it easier for her parents to find her

Such unrealistic iination crossed Celis's mind

「There was no need for that anyh」

But, Magialca sination

「Then, don't tell me──」

「It's just as you guess My parents already died I was told that they were tricked by their business rival and made to obtain fake treasure It seemed they abandoned me as child in order to distance me froed them Of course, it was by the way of our side」

Magialca grinned and forer

Froine that she e of 『commerce』

「After that, well, -Ride was discovered, and this world was developed rapidly Fortunately I was able to get involved with Ruin investigation of several countries I switched ht ti, and amassed vast fortune I becadom is because I lent that country quite the sum of money」

「Is that so…… However I don't understand You have obtained fortune and faret And yet why, you sought even the position of Seven Dragon Paladins?」

It seeialca's past and she asked with a quiet expression

In respond the woirl appearance answered with a smile that was filled with implication

「Hou Do you think I'reedy? But you see, that's the way it is for athe captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, look Just as you can see in the present situation, there is a chance I will even be able to obtain treasure froht?」

「That's not what I er, you will be able to live safely just fro about」

After Celis interrupted with such arguialca smiled mysteriously

「What, it's not so that co, profiting, and increasing my fortune, that is my purpose in life Such human also exist in this world Rather, I believe it's sohteous noble for the sake of the country and the people, who is more uncommon in this world you know?」

「……So, it's so like that」

「In any case, I' a move on your sweetheart is also a part of that」

「That's, are you saying that you are intending to use Lux?」

Celis's eyes blinked fro taken aback by those words that were like a surprise attack

「Or rather, what do you mean by sweetheart!? I, it's not like, I'm──」

「No one h」

「Kuh…!?」

Celis was at a loss for words in front of Magialca's obscene smile

「Although, don't fret It's not like I' to take away and devour that boy If it's in sexualthen I will, but in the first place that fellow is a ested Certainly he also has a side that is too softhearted but──even if it's a hypocritical virtuousness, but someone who can persist with it is a hero」

「……That's, what could you mean by that?」

Magialca tilted her wine glass sharply into her mouth, then she showed a flushed face from drunkenness

「If you don't notice then it will be ood so I'll answer Lux Arcadia In a sense, that fellow is already lifting up the evaluation for hi And that is with a different method from me the captain and that snobby vice captain」

Lux was surpassing the captain Magialca and the Blue Tyrant Singlen in one aspect

That hat Magialca said in a roundabout way

「Lux, did?」

Celis who heard that was bewildered and tilted her head

However thinking carefully, sos also came to her mind

「If it's you then you ht now?」

「That's──……-!?」

Here Celis finally noticed the ialca's insinuation

「Have you noticed? Soinally a criminal of the old empire that coed into a girl academy, and yet before anyone knows it, that fellow has become an indispensable existence not in just that acadedodom was able to detect that talent huh」

Lux's true talent and achieveht was hidden

No──his qualities a king that couldn't be exhibited until now

It was a strength that he used to reach an understanding, first with Lisha, and then with Celis who opposed hi them into his ally one after another

「Lux's way of doing thing that won't hurt other as much as possible and interact with them without discrimination takes monumental effort to carry out, and it's a reckless method that hurt himself too But if hiswith the other party, then his ally will increase He has already obtained considerable trust from Greifer of Vanhei Republic Of course it's not like they beco that can be called as a substantial accomplishment」

Magialca hureat admiration

In a glance she looked like so eye couldn't be underestimated

「In other words, Lux is essentially in the process of becoon Paladins, is that what you are saying?」

Singlen who atte achieveth

Magialca who reigned at the top using money and authority

Looking at the whole, their way ht be more skillful, but in the current situation, Lux was in the process of changing the situation where he could conduct hieously at the very least

And that was by Lux's own achieveh his battles until now

「Well, it's so like that That kind of hero who comes out from fairy tale often charms a lot of people Well, people like h We won't be charmed with ordinary method」

Celis was perplexed seeing Magialca erased her s look

「By snob, do youwith Lux ──?」

「Who knows I don't know about that guy's scheme」

Magialca played the fool, however she

「……But, I understand about that guy's aioal」

「What in the world it could──」

Celis tensed nervously In respond Magialca suddenly let out a sigh and lied down on the bed with relaxed posture

「Is that your last question? If you want to ask about that then you can ask ain at the last day of this teeks period And then during that time, can you also answer the question of this me?」

Magialca s Celis a choice

She was answering her question generously until noas a lead up in order to pull out information from Celis

(As expected……I cannot be careless with this person)

Even so, with hoorried she was about Lux, she surely couldn't help but ask the question

「More importantly, can I request you to have a bout with -Ride and hand-to-hand combat? It will be fine even if it is after we arrive in Malcafar Kingdom I wish to be allowed to use this chance to take lesson froth of you who are Philuffy's on Paladins」

「Hohou Looks like you have grown a bit after getting rubbed by Lux huh」

Magialca who heard that opened her eyes wide in surprise for the first itme

「Wha-!? I, I haven't really been rubbed or anything! That's because of so happened inevitably several times but──」

「No one is asking anything like that……」

The captain retorted while unusuallyfixed stare

However, Magialca could read Celis's ais ell for her, she was going to ask her about the talk just now as the reward for her victory

(As expected fro at Lux's side)

That day ended peacefully while she was feeling wonder of Lux's influence once more

──But, at this time the two of them actually made a miscalculation

Theythat no matter what kind of plan he had for Lux, he wouldn't cause anything during this period of aide exchange

That assureat mistake on their part