Volume 12 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Episode 5 - Behind the Scene of the Sacred Party

–

Part 1

Memory flickered

In the seventh Ruin Moon, Soffice Xfer woke up from the hibernation pod and encountered the Automata Re Plica

There was no other co, and she lived in the Ruin

They passed peaceful days together with her little sister Uruk

And then──one day Uruk said that she wanted to try seeing the outside world

『I want friend from the outside world』

The innocent little sister said that hopefully

She wanted to grant the wish of her little sister

Thinking that she also wanted to do that, Soffice and co went outside

Just like the Xfer in the past who also did so, they wished to interact with the humans who they were still unfamiliar with

They descended to the Old Eo

When they descended to that large country where three Ruins were re within its territory, Soffice's skin hite, and her hair was also blue

「……I won't, forgive」

The brightness of fla in the fireplace showered her face The awakened Soffice renewed her determination

The wound on her shoulder that was torn up at that time had almost vanished completely, but the pain was seared into her memory even now

The accident where they headed to the Garden together with the imperial family of Arcadia Empire

At that time, if Re Plica didn't save her, she would have died

Her little sister Uruk wouldn't come back anymore

Just because they tried to have faith at the people of this era, just because they got involved with the fa irreplaceable forever

「That's why I──won't trust anyone anymore」

A part of broken chain fell into a gap within the prisontime

In order to prevent blood congestion fro period, Airi would take off her chain one at a timent in the shape of wire

She soht it until her hand and then she tampered with her shackle's keyhole for nearly half a day

She had to reach Avalon and protect the world from destruction by Sacred Eclipse

However, she wondered why?

Even though that girl didn't resemble at all with Soffice's little sister as innocent and pure, for some reason when Soffice looked at her, she recalled her little sister Uruk

When Soffice peed, Airi didn't call for other people and cleaned it up herself was so that Soffice wouldn't hold even worse impression toward Lux

「Even though, this isn't the time to bask in sentimentality」

Click, finally the unlocking using ell and next her right hand also got free

Next she also finished unlocking the chain on her legs and she was completely freed But as expected because her Sword Device was hidden away, she was unarmed

「It's necessary, to look for chance」

Soffice thought with her usual serious look that was dyed with nihility

At that time outside the jail, a conversation with small voice could be heard

「As expected there is nobody here It see tryst with someone」

Froirl who sounded relieved so for her

「Yes I'lad that you two can feel relieved Because you tere unexpectedly restless」

「You said that Noct, but when you heard that Lux-kun ht have a partner, weren't you yourself really bothered?」

Soffice felt like he had heard their voice somewhere, but she couldn't remember where

「Enough with that, let's get out of here Even we are forbidden to enter this place」

The voice that was only slightly oozing with disco indifferently

「Right'o Today is the holy night festival event, it's gonna be busy」

「Are you all right Tillfur? You were doing preparation until late at night yesterday」

「Oof course I also finished my costume preparation Complete with the makeup tool and the outfit I already collected it beforehand at girl dormitory's hall」

「Yeah, the situation is like this right now, but we've got to have fun e can Then, let's go」

It see farther

It appeared there was an exit some distance away from this prison

Most likely there was a locked door or a hidden passage

But, from the look of it, it seemed that other than Lux and a few others, the matter of Soffice's capture wasn't knoidely

Besides, according to the prelion Marauder, she also knew that the majority of this Academy's students didn't know about her war declaration toward the world alliance too

If she could just deceive those students' eyes, it was possible for her to sneak around

「……Right, makeup」

Because it was still early in the , there should be few people around

Even if she escaped, the possibility that her Sword Device was hidden inside this Drag-Ride hangar was little

「First I'll disguiseAiri will be after that」

Soffice took a deep breath and brushed away the unlocked chains

When she exited the prison cell, she discovered the entrance of a hidden passage by groping the wall around, and then she ran outside

–

Part 2

It was awhere the chirp of small birds could be heard

「Fuaa……」

Lux woke up with a small yawn

Last night he helped out with the decoration for the night before holy night festival, so he was a bit sleepy

As expected froht calisthenics inside the room

He went to check on Soffice before sleeping, but her attitude was brusque as usual

He only heard a sentence 『It looks like, you are really loved by your little sister』 from her but──

(Only one day re)

If the tiotiationwith the Auto in the Moon using Soffice as hostage

He had to somehow persuade Soffice before that happened

「Before that, I have to focus on the Academy this afternoon」

The costume party that would be held in the Acadeht festival

Lux was selected as the main lead of that event that Relie assembled

The original holy night festival was a custom that existed as festival since before the time of old empire The adults would dress in ceremonial dress, but the children would copy ani costume and handed over present to the opposite sex That was the gist of it

And then, it was the etiquette for ratitude for the present later

「Soic」

In his period of chore livelihood, Lux had never received any present, so it had been a while for him to experience this event

He was thinking such thing while finishi+ng changing into his uniform, then his door was knocked

「Mooorning! Lux-chi, you awaake!?」

An energetic voice that was distinctive of Tillfur

As expected, she ca

Because in the event today where Lux beca him

「Morning, Tillfur……wait, eeeh!?」

The moment he opened his roo the sight

Black one piece clothes and tights that clung tightly on the body with high exposure rate

Also, the ribbon on the neck and hair band that imitated rabbit ears

The Triad's appearance was really similar with Philuffy who he saw the other day They were standing in front of his room

「Err That appearance, don't tell me──?」

「Just as you guessed The three of us is wearing costume of rabbit」

「What'cha think? Does it look goood?」

「Yes The fault of this costume is the chill due to the season, but ear jacket when going outside」

「That's, even if you ask ood on you three」

To be honest, he was troubled where to look Though Lux couldn't say it

Noreous atmosphere of Lisha and others, but the Triad was also really char when they were dressed like this

「Haa, I'e isn't it?」

「Yes From the aspect of fabric amount, it's not so different from pilot suit, but it's mysterious how different it is」

「Fuh, as expected even o Lux-kun, I' forward to your turn you know?」

「Ahaha……, then please take care of me」

Prompted by Sharis and others ere a bit e hall

After taking light breakfast of soup and bread, Lux changed into a black suit and headed to the courtyard

Even though it wasn't a formal party, for so why, but the reason soon became clear

「My, Goshujin-samamaster / his lordshi+p has arrived!」

「As expected from a former prince」

「You are looking really good there」

The fe htat

Lux went up on a se that was specially set up in the middle of the courtyard, then the head first

「All students You all have worked hard with the strict training despite the ti the end of the year Today, a costuht festival, which will also serve as a er reward for you all Let's enjoy it to your heart's content!」

The students applaused at Relie's short speech

It seemed that the secret of her popularity was the shortness and neatness of her talk

「Then, other than wearing costu snack, I'll also have Lux-kun to do a special chore for the sake of everyone It's named──Familiar Selection Convention!」

'Waaa-', hearing the event nairls raised their cheers

The girls were already wearing costume, from mere hair band with ear decoration attached, until those ent as far as attaching tail or wing There were a lot of variety

The system was for Lux to draw a lottery that had ani work as fairls ere dressed the sairls could hand him their present

The content of the event was for those girls to spend tiether with Lux inside a room that was similarly decorated and received order from him

The types of animal were ten in total, so it would be quiet worth it to choose

(Even so, to think they will get this kind of idea, really)

He didn't knohether this was Relie idea or not, but he was impressed with the freedom of the idea

「And so, first let's have him draw the first lot」

Lux as prompted pulled out a lottery from the box casually

「Eerr──first there is cat written here」

「My, you pulled out the biggest bomb there There are many who dressed like that Then, you have to be affectionate with them in the Academy's parlor room──」

With Relie's words, a lot of students were rushi+ng, but the Triad somehow held them back

While Lux's long day was going to start, at the side a girl snugly wearing white robe and hood, with a scribble that looked like face drawn on her ht

「My, you are wearing a curious costume there」

When the feirl called out cheerfully, she looked a bit flustered

「This is……yes, a ghost costume I think」

Her tone was bland without any inflection, but the female student's expression burst into a smile

「That's interesting Aah, even so it's unfortunate that you are getting excluded like that Even though there is finally a chance to spend a short time with Lux-san」

「Is that ruined prince, that popular?」

「That nickna Lux-san like that anyht now he is this Academy's pride after all」

「…………Is that so? By the here is the storage rooain?」

「Yes? The ement of Sword Device should be entrusted to each student theh──, you are」

「Nothing I only forgot a bit」

The white robe said that a bit hurriedly and then quickly left

「I don't think I've ever heard her voice before」

The fe her head in confusion, but then she was called by her classmate and joined the banquet

–

Part 3

「──Fuu That was dangerous」

Soffice who quickly left froh under her mask

Although it was great and all that she -Ride hangar, she was unable to escape without Vritra's Sword Device, so she was searching for it

She was also considering to steal general purpose Drag-Ride in the hangar, but as expected even with theof this festival, the inspection there was strict, so she gave it up

Or rather, as expected she got the hunch that her Divine Drag-Ride, Vritra wasn't in the hangar

When she tried thinking froerous to put Soffice's Sword Device in the sa confined

There, she sneaked into the girl dormitory next, but she luckily discovered costumes in the hall and borrowed one of them

There were also makeup tools, but she didn't think she would be able to use thehost in the end

「But, what should I do from here?」

It see that her Sword Device was inside the school building or the girl dormitory

And then in that case, it was preferable to first try looking at the roo Soffice

In the worst case, she had to threaten Lux or Airi in order to take back Vritra's Sword Device, but that was the last resort

「……I won't hesitate, this time for sure」

Soffice pilfered a knife for cutting cake froirl dormitory

The ure of a person who she had seen somewhere before

「Good grief, why is my appearance a bat!? I'm still a princess even like this!」

「No, Lisha-sa actress, and the type of outfit is also limited Also, that's a vampire, not a bat」

The person with her blonde hair tied in a side tail that aying and prancing was a petite girl wearing black outfit

In front of her was a girl in bunny outfit with distinctive brown ponytail She was the owner of voice that Soffice heard before this in the underground prison

Soffice had faint recollection of seeing the two girls from somewhere

「Can you two spare a bit of time? I want to ask where is the room of Lux Arcadia, or his little sister Airi」

「Hm……what's with you? What's your business with Lux?」

「Lux-chi right now is being surrounded by cat girls y'knoow Sharis and Noct area break──」

「…………I see, unfortunate」

Soffice concluded that the young man named Lux was quite popular

Soffice wasn't asking about the person himself, she just wanted to knohere was his rooet found out if she asked too bluntly, so she didn't pursue for further answer

「More i about thatparticular about him」

And so, Soffice changed the question

She thought that if she was lucky, she ht understand the place he often visited, and froe place of her Sword Device

「Who knows, even though the battle is just around the corner, because of this pact whatever I cannot call out to hi-Ride hangar for some reason」

「But, he caht?」

「Well yeah」

Lisha's cheeks loosened hearing what Tillfur pointed out

「That guy praised a princess like ht, saying that I' with my work」

And then, she continued her words with her ar her tone

「Even though he usually also has idiotic side in hi that kind of thing to me」

「It feels like Lisha-sa reaally well」

「There's no way──that's true」

「Eh……?」

The sudden words of the girl in ghost costume shocked Lisha and Tillfur

But, Soffice didn't stop there and spoke the continuance

「The Arcadia family of that old empire, they will only think of themselves They are that type of creature All of you are only tricked He is working to be considered as hero merely because he needs to do that in order to escape from the threat of Abyss」

Lisha blinked in puzzlehed

「That's a nostalgic criticisht this kind of fellow is no 」

「Somehow, she is like Lisha-sama when Lux-chi first came to the Academy eeh」

「Tha, that is only at the very beginning though……」

But, even so the teren't swayed

They just talked to Soffice about Lux as he was, betraying her iination

Hoas a softhearted person who found it difficult to refuse someone else's request

But, he would put his life on the line with conviction in order to save everyone

「Well, I agree that guy is ht He was also like that when he peeked at ot a lot of further crimes──」

「I also agree with that That young man is a deviant」

Soffice who heard Lisha's story ireement

Then, it was Tillfur who tilted her head in confusion

「Eeeeh? Did you also get sorade you are froh」

「……This isn't the tio ahead」

Soffice's heart skipped a beat and she turned around in panic Then she advanced through the corridor of girl dormitory with a small run

In order to put distance for now from Lisha and Tillfur, she headed to the Acade this time

–

「Fuu, that was dangerous」

Soffice alking in the courtyard while continuing to search inside the Acaderound

She had come here before at the caeneral, but she couldn't recall the detail

Above the table that was set up for the standing buffet party, several baked sweets were placed Soffice who hadn't eaten very much reflexively reached out her hand

「……Nn, tasty」

The taste was delicious for so that students created

Or perhaps she was just feeling nostalgic because she hadn't eaten sweet thing for a long time

Inside the moon, thanks to synthesized eneral she was unable to eat meal that could be called as proper food

It was to the degree that the ht her inside the prison tasted delicious

「Aaah, wait there You are eating too much!」

「-……!? That's, this is──!?」

Soffice as stuffing herself under her mask beca

「I' too much……you know?」

The girl as slightly behind her was eating a heap of piled up sweets

Donuts, apple pie, crepe, cookie, cake, and so on, a girl with soft and fluffy pink hair was continuing to stuff her mouth silently with various sweets

If she reirl should be also so-Ride

Her appearance was lascivious with the rabbit ear hair band and black outfit that was clinging tightly on her skin she earing, but it looked cute when coupled with her innocently childish expression

「Geez Philuffy, don't just eat, help out here too! Right now there is a talk that an intruder is inside the Acadeain──」

Soffice's body stiffened with a twitch hearing the voice that talked to Philuffy

「On that topic, the girl over there, you are wearing a mask but, don't tell ht?」

「I wonder?」

JIii, Philuffy's sleepy looking eyes were directed on Soffice's mask

When Soffice tried to divert attention fro away from the side, she stepped on the fabric of her robe that was dangling until under her feet

「Ah……!」

Soffice's body that alle arm

And then, her olden pupil were absent on Soffice's face

A brief silence

Wondering whether this was a fatal dauise, Soffice resolved herself inside her heart Even so Philuffy returned herhappened and faced the other female students

「This girl, isn't a molester」

「Is that so? Thanks」

The girls who see for the intruder left with that

Soffice was openaze turned toward the sweets that she was carrying

「The baked apple, look tasty」

「Could it be, you want to eat?」

Nod, the pink haired girl──nodded wordlessly to Soffice

When Soffice handed it to her, Philuffy split it into half and gave it back

「Thank you, ghost-san」

「You're welcome, rabbit-san」

She wondered ith this situation

Far fro her here?

Why wasn't this girl getting suspicious of her?

「I want to ask for a bit Do you know Lux Arcadia's place?」

「Over there but, right now, I cannot go meet Lu-chan from me end」

The girl was indifferently answering so while eating the baked apple

「I see」

「Yes Lu-chan, is liked by everyone in the Academy after all」

「Because, now he has a lot of proper friends」

「Friends……?」

「Yep I am Lu-chan's first friend」

Soffice could perceive just a little bit of soft smile from the expressionless face of Philuffy who muttered that

『I want friend from the outside world』

The face of her little sister──Uruk who said that eed inside Soffice's mind

–

Part 4

「Haah, haah! Is Relie-sa……headmaster here!?」

「My? What's the ether I wonder?」

When Airi rushed inside the head her paperwork in her outfit as witch was there

There were so s she could ht noasn't the time for that

「Soffice Xfer's Sword Device was entrusted to Relie-san right!? She had vanished froar!」

Even Relie understood the situation froent voice of Airi Her expression immediately turned serious

「……I see, so she escaped When did you notice it?」

「Just now! Today I was busy with the party's preparation, and when I finally went there── Nii-san is in danger! If we don't quickly call and hide him……」

「Calm down a little Airi-chan Is there any trace of intruder fro」

「N, no, there is no trace like that I think that most likely Soffice herself took off the chain」

「I understand First, I will try asking the guards around the Acadeather the Triad for now?」

「Wai-, please be serious! If we let her escape, the new kingdom's future will be──」

「There is that, but it's useless even if we are panicking You and Lux-kun should have been resolved with the girl escaping like this too when you two took her under your responsibility」

Relie's calm attitude

It wasn't because she wasn't serious Airi noticed that it was her acting mature in her oay and she fell silent

Certainly, it was just as Relie said

Even Lux and Airi had acknowledged that there was high possibility of the girl escaping

「It's strange to say this, but the tiress is also accoer, so the security in the area should be carried out tightly Drakes with radar are constantly being alert to the surrounding, so even if it is the Dragon Marauder, they won't be able to easily approach」

「Then, she is still inside the Academy──?」

「Yes, the rest is just as you predicted I believe She won't be able to summon her Vritra without the Sword Device In other words, she will be trying to ask someone who know the location in order to find it, so it will be Airi-chan who is the likeliest to get targeted」

「I……see But, what should I do?」

「Either way, the Sword Device is hidden underground the library, so it won't be found out for now That's why, I recommend Airi-chan to hide here, but if ant to capture Soffice, then there is also another way」

Knock knock

At that time the door of the headmaster office was knocked

「Come in Just in time If it's him who is from an allied country, there won't be any problem, so let's request him」

「You are──Coral-san!?」

「Good afternoon Airi-chan I'll be in your care again」

AIri's eyes snapped open in surprise

The one as there dressed in butterfly figure was a beautiful girl──or rather, an androgynous young man

His light green hair wasn't braided and instead tied up into twintails that drew a curve

The positioning of his skirt that was doubtfully risqué didn't look out of place on him at all and looked lovely

「……Wait, what's with that appearance!?」

「Sorry I'll be happier if you don't question that too deeply……」

Coraldistant

When Airi listened briefly about why he was here, Coral caialca's substitute, but because he caress, it seemed he was toyed around by the Triad

Relie's thinking was to talk about the situation this tion Paladins of Vanheim Principality that was allied to theuard

Originally, the matter of Soffice's capture was a top secret even within the new kingdom, but they couldn't pay attention to outward appearance in this eency situation

Airi hesitated a bit before nodding, then she asked for his cooperation

「But, in a sense this is convenient It looks like Coral-chan's face is known to Soffice, so if you are dressed like usual you will get found out immediately──」

「Err, headh……?」

After Coral retorted with his face so, they immediately moved into action

The Triad would be on guard at Lux's surrounding, while Airi and Coral would search for Soffice without getting near Lux as much as possible

「I'm sorry to involve you Coral-san into this kind of trouble」

Airi said that while walking on a corridor Coral shook his head slightly in respond

「I don't mind Besides, it was you all who first captured Soffice Xfer, so it's not so about」

Coral said that and smiled with the appearance of female butterfly fairy

Froynous male anymore He looked completely like a female

「Besides──I'm also curious about the matter of Soffice Xfer」

「Is that so? Certainly she is an existence with a lot of mystery but……」

Airi reflexively replied

The face of Coral that she saw fro looked the most serious she had seen until now

「XferKey's Supervisor……the successor of will of the ancient race And yet regardless of that, the girl showed no sign of being connected with the Lord at all I want to know about her circumstance Just what happened in her past」

「And also, there is noon the situation, ill have to deal with her just as ordered Even if that is unrelated with inal intention──」

「Coral, san?」

Airi tilted her head in puzzleo of his tension

「Sorry I'ht I'll walk a bit away from you, so Airi-chan, can you pretend to search for Lux-kun just like now?」

His aim was to intentionally eted her, he would subdue her then

Airi who understood the strategy nodded and separated from Coral

Coral followed behind her while putting his hand on the second Sword Device hanging on his waist

「In the worst case that Dragon Marauder also cah I won't have any choice but to show -Ride too……」

Coral's uely mixed with tension

It gave a hint that this mission for him wasn't just cooperation to allied country

「Lux-kun I──」

That hthe bustling fe in the corridor and vanished

–

Part 5

Around the same time

The seventh Ruin, Moon that was floating in the sky

Inside a roo ed inside the darkness

The people there were three notorious on Marauder

The strengthening surgery of Baptism was over and they had just accomplished the contract with their new employer

No, for the three, they had nothing like true master since the start

They completely understood that one day they would be dis as they were mercenary

However that person was an existence that called be called as the great beginning even aon Marauder

「……However, this is astonishi+ng For e of many countries in these several years, I won't be surprised anys, but this is…」

The tall on division commander Gatouhan muttered

Beside hi the surrounding and leaked out a sigh

「It was really surprising Well, froirl's lifespan doesn't look like it will be that long eh In that state, it's uess」

「Is this fine? If we abort our contract with Soffice Xfer and get on board with her, then even our pride as one with this won't it?」

The Earth Dragon division co, Vine pointed that out calmly

But, the other two commanders only snorted

「Betrayal……huh, you are really young eh, Vine We ended up turning into bandits originally was because of a large country's high-handedness Is this hardshi+p story too difficult for a young master I wonder?」

For Drakkhen as usually aloof, her voice was painted with sarcasm

Vain had also been told since the past about her history of misfortune

She possessed a rarely-seen talent as Drag-Knight, yet she was shunned by the incoot used as sacrificial pawn along with her subordinates

At the end she was captured and alot tortured, but before that happened she was picked up by the previously mentioned employer

「I know about your story Besides, even I had also h I look like this, I'ot assassinated」

Vein also replied without any change in his tone

「We don't have any other place to live at Even though we ive them There was no proper path provided to us since the start Nowhere at all」

「Yeah And then, there is also no one else who is giving us help……right? Those guys only need us as disposable troops Just likethe one who had been living in that land since the past」

The three fell silent and shared their past to each other

Their place to belong was stolen from them due to the convenience of the people in authority While they were Drag-Knights with first class talent, they were existences that couldn't live a proper life

That was the essence of Dragon Marauder, the fate of the three division commanders

「That's why We will uys who treated us as trash and used as convenient pawn, I'll give them the scare of their life I'll beat the fact that this world isn't theirs into them!」

The yell that was filled with a flood of emotions kept the other two silent

Right after silence filled the place, Gatouhan gazed at his re two comrades once more

「But, I won't ask for you two to go along with e too I'll leave it to you what you will do e get cornered I'll say this first, if you want to run away then telleven you two into the power of -Ride」

After he said that with a severe tone, the bandit styled wohed in exasperation

「Thisat this late」

「Yeah, it's too late already」