Volume 11 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Episode 4 - Crossroads

–

Part 1

A few days before Lux and others headed toward the Garden

「This place──just what」

So castle town, there was a dark grey town that had lost its color

The abandoned capital that was a cultural heritage even within Marcafal Kingdonated as forbidden to enter, Gelsera

Celis who accoialca as her aide spontaneously forgot to breathe after seeing that nificent view

The tall townscape that had elaborate carving and design applied on it looked corey color It was filled with the ath time had stopped

「A view isn't it? The ups and downs of life, thein is noted within only this single land as a history」

What Celis learned until noorld history in the end was nothing more than a part of the destroyed city that was left behind as only anecdote

And yet, she could sense so before her eyes

「There is so that isn't human──trace of Abyss is」

「Hou? As expected froreat nobles who is praised as the new kingdoh we are still in a distance where even the Drake's radar cannot reach, you have a keen eye there」

Magialca made an obscene fearless smile and commended her

But, Celis of course didn't let her guard down

Far froialca and she backed ahile her hand touched the handle of her sword

「Since when Abyss is living here? Does the other countries know about this?」

When Celis asked that with a voice that was laced with tension, Magialca grinned cynically and looked up at Celis

「I want to ask you instead, don't you think it's unnatural? Marcafal is facing the sea and its territory is also vast, its natural resources are abundant and it's also a neutral country But, although Abyss appears here, it's not a place where Ruin's treasure can be obtained, no one has any interest to this country In these more than ten years after seven Ruins had been confirner who visit here because they like the place」

When Celis fell silent, Magialca looked down on the abandoned capital frohtly elevated cliff

Her cloak was flapping froust while she brushed up her front hair

When Celis asked, she was told that there was an oral tradition that told this place as a holy land that one et near to since the ancient time

If someone carelessly laid their hand on it, de with calamity just like this abandoned capital

In fact that tradition had been kept for several hundred years, but since Ruins were discovered in various places, a lot of outsiders from other countries came here

「Abyss ca-Ride can be found And yet, although the Abyss here is few in nuhty without equal Of course without cooperation from other countries, this country won't even be able to defend against the disaster to the surrounding that rarely happen, but no country exist that will poke their nose into such troubleso There, this country called to me」

Fortunately, Marcafal Kingdom was rich with natural resources

Magialca as buying up a lot of Drag-Ride at that tidom that was scared of this abandoned capital and intruder, and she was granted with an extraordinary position

Magialca hired Drag-Knights from many countries and she defended this country, while she was alsofor the betterment of the public order of Malcafar where Ruin didn't exist

In exchange she was allowed to ard to co conquest of the market

「However, why are you telling er in this abandoned capital is also increasing in accordance with the revitalization of Ruins at the recent yeasr──……-!?」

Celis as talking until that point felt a chilling shudder running through her spine

「Ku-ku-ku There are also bunches who said that I didn't do on Paladins The fact is exactly as you see What kind of place this location is, even that arms dealer Hayes had also showed her face in this abandoned capital for a time」

「Then could it be, this abandoned capital is actually──」

「Yeah, the place where all ancient technology and legacy are sleeping, Avalon There is no doubt that this is the entrance to go there At the surface I pretended to concedeation of this area When those Lords bunch also pretended to not know anything, they cannot co in this place as I pleased Underground that decayed castle standing tall at the distance, isexist」

「Such thing, is……」

Beside Celis as ed her shoulders further

「Those so called Lords, they are staying quiet even while they know about this matter It's necessary to prepare without delay so they won't get a head start on us And the so called true enerab them by their tail」

「……!? Just nohat did you say?」

Celis was unable to grasp the ht away and asked back

Magialca continued it with an indifferent tone

「What those Lords bunch on Marauder that broke off fro them? Why the Moon left froon Marauder bunch obtained Ruin's treasures like Elixir──」

『 ──Leave, you foolish people』

WIIIIIIIII-!

Right after Magialca was going to tell the truth, a discordant sound that felt like it was scratching and tearing inside the brain could be heard Several Abysses flew out toward them

Two headed giant dog, Orthros

A powerful speciatekeeper at Ark appeared

「──Hah! So they won't let us get away easily huh And soa bit of work now This battle concerning the Ruin will be intensifying from here on」

Magialca laughed obstinately while finally pulling out the Sword Device on her waist

She quickly pushed the trigger on the handle whilethe passcode at the same time

–

Part 2

The tidom──

Lux, Lisha, and Airi were taken inside the Ruin Outside the Garden, Triad and Yoruka were taking care of defense At the side,

At the back side of the giant cube shaped Garden, a single girl was standing

The girl with glossy black hair earing a white mask

She was holding her breath and concealing her presence while observing the situation

「……That man, his pieces are more complete than expected However, in the end his stamina is worn out due to the consecutive battle He is not in a state that can oppose us」

There was no one beside the girl to receive her words

Till the end she was just talking to herself She was speaking out the situation to confirm it herself

Due to the largeness of what she would do after this, she would need a lot more resolve

In order to endure the weight, in order to accoirl purposefully put it into words

「If the situation is like this it will definitely succeed If by any chance the unlikely event happens, I will take care of it The time is──」

「Can you not move, the person over there」

Coral Esther warned froirl

Wearing EX Wyvern, he pointed the irl's back

「Why, are you here?」

Theback

In respond Coral also kept un and talked to that back with a dispassionate tone

「The Dragon Marauder is a waranization that is composed from three division co of Vices, but after losing connection with both Hayes and Calensia, they should have anotherbut, there should be the existence of an employer」

The irl didn't even stir

In exchange Coral continued his investigation

「Even I didn't expect that you will appear Just, when I came to observe the situation in order to protect Lux-kun, an unexpected fish is baited like this Is it you who provided the Dragon Marauder with the horn flute and Elixir?」

「Liar」

Suddenly an innocent laugh that was like a child came back from under the mask

「──Lies lies lies lies, aaaall lies While you are planning to interrogate 」

The ht voice

「You are keeping watch of that descendant of traitor Certainly he is so attention to, but even then what you are doing is too excessive I don't know if this action is so arbitrarily or if there is some kind of secret but──either way, from my point of view you cannot be trusted」

Even while the girl was raising both her hands in a display of non resistance, she spoke threateningly with a calm tone

「How do you know that!? You──who are you!?」

Coral's voice turned rough Right after that, the irl spoke coldly

「It's not only you who is laying trap Showing one's figure intentionally as bait for the sake of the objective, is also a trap under the name of diversion」

「……Coral! Behind you!」

Suddenly Lux's tense voice came from behind

(damn it! An ambush!+?)

Thinking that, Coral immediately turned around, but behind him there was only wasteland, the horizon, and the very clear blue sky

「──Born out from the flame, the taboo God Devour hatred and truth and transcend, Vritra」

Instantly, from behind Coral who turned around, the passcode to su-Ride could be heard

The voice of Lux that came from behind was fake

Coral turned around in panic while he tried to pull the trigger of his Breath Gun in order to shot the irl, but his armored arm was stabbed from behind

「──Wha-!?」

This tilided to the side to escape

Why was an attack ca around to face the ain?

That question was cleared when he saw the two Drag-Rides before him

The Divine Drag-Ride with dull yellow color the , Vritra

The Drag-Ride that was standing on its side, was a Drake type Divine Drag-Ride with the trait of steel sharp claws growing fros and two arms, the Asp

One of the three division coistry

The girl who dressed like a bandit with her leather breastplate and waistcloth was someone who Colra also remembered

After all he was chasing after Dragon Marauder until now

「The Divine Raiment of Asp that freelythat to mimic Lux-kun's voice, when I noticed that it was a trap and becae ability attacked──what elaborate plan just to kill me with certainty」

First Drakkhenhiirl chanted the passcode, his concentration was taken away and his back became defenseless

But, perhaps Coral suddenly noticed so out of place, he shi+fted his body just by a hair's breadth and avoided fro shot in his vital spot

The unnaturalness of no one being there when he heard Lux's voiceDivine Raiment

「Even sneak attack will become unnatural instead when it's overdone As expected, it's look like I'」

The girl in Vritra sighed in disappointment Then Drakkhen calmly walked forward

「Just leave this to ht?」

「You have loose tongue I'll decrease the pay if you say anything unnecessary」

「That's harsh Then──the pointless talk is over now!」

Drakkhen fleard Coral at the same time with her words

Using the steel claws growing from Asp's both hands, sharp thrusts were unleashed consecutively

At the saht after that──the irl vanished

「You're planning to su the horn flute sound? But, why are you fighting here?」

「H as there is money, I won't be picky about time and place!」

Drakkhen evaded Coral's question and continued to rush forward

But, even with one of his EX Wyvern's arm destroyed, Coral skillfully handled his Blade and avoided direct hit

Seeing Drakkhen's attitude, Coral reached a certain fact instinctually

(She is able to produce horn flute's sound using Divine Raiment hell Choir and draw in Abyss toward her Why then she would intentionally fight outside the Garden?)

Of course, the other division commanders, Vine and Gatouhan surely also had horn flute, but for Drakkhen as able to freely handle sound, fighting inside Ruin should be far more effective for her

For her to not do that suggested two possibilities

One, the Abysses that in a glance seemed to have been exter

The other possibility, was that Drakkhen considered it to be more effective for her to be outside rather than inside the Ruin

That was to say──

「You are quite skilled Besides you also have a good head on your shoulder Should I say, as expected froon Paladins」

Drakkhen took distance for the ti her stance

「But──you aren't the type to survive for long in battlefield You have tooup」

This tiet his attention diverted He was only directing his alertness toward above

Theintent froers consecutively from its claw tips

「Kuh……!」

Coral ithened his barrier at the same time

The trajectories of the countless blades were shi+fted and he avoided direct hit

But, the medium sized Abyss──Diablos that attacked from the sky couldn't be blocked at all because of that

(……daot me!)

Coral shut his eyes tightly and resolved himself, it was then,

「──That's not like you eh, for the honor student-saet flustered and make a miss like that」

A fa wind

Right after that, theat Coral were carved into countless round

「……What!?」

This time it was Drakkhen who scowled due to the unexpected situation

The one who landed down in front of Coral as though to stand in the as the Divine Drag-Ride ild thorny aron Paladins of Vanheim Principality, Greifer

His expression was peevish like usual looking un at all in his stance

「Greifer! Why are you here!?」

「I've got nothing to do now that the Dungeon is already conquered for the o check the situation here」

「──Hah! That's an absurd joke No one's going to decrease the protection of their own country just for that It ht? Did they predict that we are going to aietaway from the pursuer of you the alliance?」

The aide exchange was a proposal from Listelka of the Lord, but there was no rule that the Seven Dragon Paladins of each country couldn't move away from where they were

Magialca caused attention to be directed toward Avalon with herbattle force to near the Garden

When Drakkhen said that with a loathsome face, Greifer jerked his chin

「Well, there is the duty of confidentiality so I cannot say anything about the detail, but thinking with common sense, there are only two Ruins with known location that haven't been conquered, it's only obvious to guard theht?」

「That's certainly reasonable But, it's also troubling if you underestith I see, the Greedy Wolf Greifer who is famous in Vanheieous for me in this situation」

「Oi Coral, chase after the e fellow just now I'll deal with this bandit」

「──Got it! I'll leave it to you!」

Coral nodded obediently and he flown his EX Wyvern toward the Garden

Instantly, several Diablos swarmed around Greifer

Si down not froh in the sky

「It's unfortunate for you, Seven Dragon Paladins-saainst only what you can see in front of you Even you won't be able to do anything against this many」

「So what? You are going to let ?」

「Unfortunately a stray dog like you have no value as hostage I'll finish you quickly──」

Drakkhen wasa threat that was the same like a death sentence, but Greifer wasn't perturbed

「That's savedto capture me alive, then that's just make it easier for me」

「Stop it with the acting brave The on Paladins is──」

Drakkhen sent Greifer a ridiculing gaze while ordering all the Diablos to attack simultaneously at the same time

All of the Cuelebre and the Tail Blade was quickly swung in a counterattack

Just with that, several Diablos that ithin the range got their head lobbed off and their core destroyed

In front of Drakkhen who take distance to the back in surprise, Cuelebre glided sharply and slipped into her bosom

「Photon Dive──is that Cuelebre's Divine Raiht of invincibility?」

Once that was activated, any kind of attack couldn't possibly defeat Greifer

But, the activation time of the invincibility didn't even reach ten second, and it was iht away after the time limit ran out

In other words, if she , it would be easy to h

「How naïve I have prepared countero」

In order to fix her balance, Drakkhen calledher hell Choir to imitate the horn flute

Greifer and others hadn't discovered it but, other than the Garden, there was a liberated facility where Abyss gathered that was hidden

But, the moment Drakkhen leaped backward and took distance, she noticed that her surrounding was covered with heavy fog

「Mist CypherHideout's True Na to learn This is the power of special armament that Cuelebre has」

「Hah! When I wondered what you are going to do, it's just a really cheap trick in the end!」

Making mist to obstruct the vision

Certainly it would be troublesome in a normal battle, but Drakkhen's Asp was a special equip-Ride

Si-Ride Drake, her Asp was equipped with radar function, because of that it wasthat she investigated using her radar, but she didn't detect anything

「──Don't tell netic wave……!?」

It wasn't a ments that jammed even radar

Right after she noticed that, the Tail Blade with its many joints drew a spiral trajectory and aimed at Drakkhen's neck

「Guauh!?」

Even though the Tail Blade was already hard to dodge even in the best of times due to its flexibility that was like a whip, Drakkhen was late to defend when it struck from inside the thick mist

She strengthened her barrier and barely avoided lethal wound, but her body from her shoulder until her chest was shallowly ripped up

But right after that, Abysses attacked Greifer inside the thick mist one after another

During that time Drakkhen withdrew to a safe distance, but the moment the mist cleared up, the Abysses were already annihilated

「My invincibility is dispelled, but if you ed into the Mist Cypher, as expected it was easy to defeat them yeah? Did you really prepare countermeasure for me properly?」

Drakkhen was breathing hard due to her injury while realizing her own naivety

Greifer preferred to challenge a battle recklessly Even so hoas he able to survive through every kind of battlefield until now? It wasn't just because of simple coincidence

Even while he was constantly throwing hiainst powerful people and difficult situation, she was avoiding lethal injury while tenaciously surviving and sharpening his senses

And then, he was healing his injury until the next battle while finding countermeasure

Therefore he was called with the nickname Greedy Wolf

「Seeuy In this situation I want to withdraw for the moment but, I also cannot do that yet Until my comrades obtain it and return──」

Greifer's face frowned slightly and he turned his gaze toward the closed Garden

The action of Lux and his group of entering inside under the pretext of investigation was predicted so the road

「You are picking sound with your Asp's Divine Rairasp the situation inside, is it? But, if you are planning to shaken less yeah?」

「That's what I thought A lone wolf doesn't have anything like feeling of fellowshi+p after all」

Drakkhen

「Exactly as you said but──it's slightly different yeah?」

In respond Greifer also readied his Tail Blade and he held his breath and skated forward once more

「That naïve prince-saested」

Greifer hed

–

Part 3

At the same time──inside the Garden

Inside the small room of the small world that was illuminated by fake sun, with forest and lake, Lux stepped inside it once more

The ar Airi Beside hi Tiamat

If they went straight like this, they would arrive at the altar that he visited together with Krulcifer in the past, but right now that he wouldn't be able to enter there even if he wanted it, and there was also no need for that

After all in the end he only needed to leave behind the treasure box that was keeping the Grand Force in a place where it would be easy to dig out again

「How about under this rock, Lux?」

「Yes I also think there won't be any problem there」

In that place that resee rock the size of several houses put together, it looked like it would take ti-Ride

「Then here I go Suppressor!」

Lisha activated Tiaravity e rock midair

Lux took distance froround under it using Cannon

There was no proble-Ride's hand, a strange white stone caught his eye and he dug it out

「What's this──!? Human bone!?」

Lux was taken aback and he held his breath Lisha and Airi were also surprised and peered in

Hued to a child or a girl from the small size

A gruesoined from the trace of the broken skull

He unconsciously stared with intense concentration to it, but right after that, sharp sound of slicing wind caressed his back

Airi reacted at the sign of violent attack that was fired from the direction of the forest

「Is it Abyss? Then──!」

Without delay, she was going to blow the horn flute she was carrying just in case, but at that instant several Daggers flew out between the forest's trees

「──Howling Roar!」

When Lux stood up in front of Airi and blocked the flew out like a squall froers came from, and took away the content of the treasure box

The big crystal around the size of a human head, the Grand Force itself was taken away

「Wha──!?」

The happening that was too sudden caused everyone including Lux to stiffen

What plundered the Grand Force was a large -Ride

He didn't say even a single word and fleay to the distance

「Who is that guy!? Why did he take away the box!? No──」

There was no tiht now

They had to reach Avalon in order to stop the Sacred Eclipse──which couldn't be done with the Grand Force stolen when it was necessary to conquer Ruin But there was so even worse than that, which was if this fact became known by other

If the fact that the new kingdo a treasure that was related with Ruin's conquering was reported to the world alliance, they ht be falsely accused as traitor

「Lux! I'll chase after that guy! You hold back the guy who threw the Daggers just now!」

Even within the situation that drastically changed right away, Lisha ment as calm as possible

The Daggers were thrown froht side, which was a diversion action fro type Drag-Ride ran off with the treasure box

Because Lux wasn't in his best condition, the time he could use Bahamut was extre-Ride and fought

Originally he wouldn't want to fight in this situation and exposed Airi to danger, but it was a point of compromise that he only barely could accept

「Please be careful! The eneon Marauder!」

Lux somehow told Lisha that before she vanished inside the forest chasing after the enemy

Right after that, the eneer before this slowly showed himself

「Not only you avoided getting dareat discernment」

「You are──Vine Hachettes?」

「Vine…… One of the Dragon Marauder's three division coon division commander?」

Airi looked doubtful was because the person before theer than expected He was a youth with slender face

He looked far re-Ride mercenary, but his calm attitude made him seemed like an experienced powerful person

He earing land battle type Divine Drag-Ride with deep green color, but there was no information at all about its Divine Raiment or special armament

With Lux in his current condition, it would be a herculean task to face hi Airi

When Lux glared at the opponent nervously, Vine's armor suddenly shi+ned radiantly

「Curse FaderMiasma of Petrification」

Violet air was blown out to the surrounding

Lux immediately leaped back from that spot, but his armor from his wrist ahead that was touched by the violet sh they were glued

It was air of instantaneous binding with adhesive property

It also caused the energy froet transmitted to the touched part too

「──This is!? Is it that Divine Drag-Ride's……, Divine Raiment that bind object!?」

「Well, you're right The na-Ride is Basilisk, but this ability itself isn't that aet isn't bathed in this ht with you in this situation ──Sayonara」

Right after that, Vine turned on his heel and skated away from the courtyard in full speed

Why did he let go of the perfect chance to defeat Lux? And then why didn't he chase after Lisha? Those puzzles were solved a few second later

–

──UUUUUUUN-!

–

「This is──Ruin's outer wall is ruh we only came inside just now!」

Airi looked around to left and right with a surprised expression

The Garden had a mechanism that would take in the object outside fros from inside to outside in reverse every fixed period

But, Airi that possessed a pocket watch infor different

「Why is the Ruin activating even though time hasn't passed that much, don't tell me──!?」

The possibility that came to mind, was an existence of Xfer

Just like how the Ruin once detected danger toward Krulcifer and took her inside it, there was the possibility that the Ruin could be freely closed and opened by Xfer's existence and strength of will

「However how? Both Krulcifer-san and Mishi+s-san shouldn't be here」

Lux tried toanxious like that It was then, the one other uncoo there showed its true identity

「──Don't ht you red handed, handing over a Grand Force to Dragon Marauder I'll have you wait for my lord to decide what to be done with you after this」

「……You are, Sir Singlen's──!?」

Airi opened her eyes wide in shock while her voice was treht

The aide of Blackend Kingdok Gimle

An old soldier with tall and lean figure, wearing steelhis face