Volume 15 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Episode 2 - Romance War

–

Part 1

「How nostalgic This at the National Foundation Day I think?」

The horse carriage had passed through the ie and stepped inside the castle town

Airi beside hiic air that they felt after a long time

The Royal Capital of the New Kingdoalia

The castle town that was cras was bustling with colorful decorations Thewith vitality before the parade

「The Abyss won't coht? Yahoo!」

「Festival, what foods are there out there?」

They passed a pair of young siblings on their way to the inn Lux's gaze turned towards the big brother and little sister ere talking energetically

Because of the infor the Abyss called Shadow everywhere, the masses' nerves had also been worn down

That anxiety had also vanished after they safely stopped the activity of Sacred Eclipse

Lux stared at the childish siblings s relieved inside his heart

It would be great if after this the people's evaluation towards Queen Raffi was safely recover with this parade

(I'm worried for her majesty)

When he dom, she showed a fainthearted appearance due to her accu anxiety

The throne of the King was also targeted by the senior consuls and she was losing confidence in uniting the New Kingdo development for Lux too

The despotic ad time where the tendency of

The greathistory of the Old Empire head-on

It was exactly because his little sister Queen Raffi succeeded hidom that the country was able to correct the antiquated bias

And then, she also saved Lux and Airi ere in a situation where it wouldn't be strange for theet executed

In order to repay that debt and also to beco that he should do

(I'ht of er)

Thesmile, Airi quietly pulled at the sleeve of Lux's uniform

「Nii-san Please don't act absentet crashed into from behind like that」

「Ah, sorry I'll be careful──」

When Lux wasand going through the road, a large cargo slipped off and fell

One wooden log was slipping off nearby Airi

「──Watch out-!」

Lux reflexively stood in the way to protect Airi The students around them held their breath

But, the slipping off log didn't hit Lux or Airi but stopped still in that place

「Eh……?」

「Are you alright, Lu-chan?」

A dreamy voice that followed one's own pace

The reverberation that felt soic and also pleasant made Lux spontaneously open his closed eyes

Over there was the figure of a girl that was lightly supporting a single log with one hand to protect Lux and Airi

The pink haired girl wearing the Academy's uniforram

「Phi-chan!?」

「Heave, ho」

The horse cart's coach got down in great panic about what happened, but Philuffy threw the log with one hand and returned it to its original position

After that the headether the two of the to the inn

「You saved me there, thank you」

「I'uard, after all」

Lux's cheeks unconsciously relaxed seeing the faint smile on her face

She was a girl with a gentle and docile appearance, but she had been trained in ialca and possessed the power of an Abyss It seeood health

At the battle the other day, she intentionally e Lux orried whether it would have a bad influence on her body, but it seeree that she could come to the parade

Although, now that they had obtained Avalon, he wished that he would be able to make her receive treatment for the Abyss part in her body as soon as possible at the next chance but──

「My h I planned to make Lux-kun reunite with Phi at the party venue But, this way is also not bad」

「Headinal objective and talk about the capture method for Nii-san」

「I have prepared a dress exclusive for Phi for the sake of this day you knoas holding hope that Lux-kun would lose his self-control when he is reunited with my little sister at the banquet but──」

Airi waswith an exasperated face, but Relie who had entered a state of wild delusion wouldn't stop

(Relie-san too is just like always huh……)

Lux smiled wryly, however he felt happy that he was able to reunite with Philuffy as in good health

It seemed he would be able to join up with several members of Syvalles even before the party

When they entered the inn they were reserving together with the bewildered students, there was another encounter with an unexpected person

「My bad to intrude while you are still tired from the journey, but I wonder if you can lend ht-dono」

A great feudal lord of the New Kingdoris that was one of the Four Great nobles

The one as there wasn't Celis who he was familiar with, but her father

A man in the priris

Lux had seen his face several ti personally with him

He followed hiround bar that didn't have any sign of other customers

Several , but even they aiting outside the bar The two of them were completely alone

Philuffy who clai, but as expected, he read the mood and asked her to stay in the inn

There was no doubt that Dist aiting for hi important to talk about with him

「Pardon ht you to this kind of gloomy place」

「Please don't mind it More importantly──」

Lux glanced towards the wooden counter that was giving off a dark brown luster

Perhaps this place was completely reserved for the two of theure of the bar owner at the counter

Dist prepared a glass of water instead of alcohol and put it in front of Lux

「This is the first ti care of hter all this time」

「It's an honor to be told so, Lord Dist But it's reatly indebted to Celis-senpai all this time」

「No need to act humble like that, hero-dono」

Even though Lux was told that, Dist's rigid aura and tone made him nervous

After exchanging a light greeting, they soon broached the main topic

「What happened just noas dangerous wasn't it? It looked like a si of the worst case, please be careful while you are in the capital Right now you are already the center of discussion everywhere」

「……? What do you mean by that?」

Dist drank some wine that was mixed ater

When Lux tilted his head, Dist's lips loosened for the first ti really amused

「So you aren't aware of it No, it's only natural if you were devoting yourself to recuperation for teeks after that intense battle」

Lux pondered after hearing that co he produced an answer froht

「Is there sodom?」

「Indeed When the situation is lapsing into chaos, there will be forces at work to calm down the situation Now that the situation has cal their move」

It seemed his ansas correct

While he was in the middle of recuperation, at most he would hear uncertain rumors within the academy, but fro theovernment in place of Queen Raffi

Of course, the ative reactions to that

After being liberated fron of the Old Eet tossed around by power struggles inside the country

「But, the Lord Listelka used the Abyss called Shadow to lure out the representatives of each country In the New Kingdoy was to hold her majesty the Queen in conteed in the great war, voices fro herlouder That is a fact」

「……Then, what is the relation of that withthe center of discussion?」

「It's talk about the possibility of you beco a powerful weapon for the influential people of the New Kingdom」

Lux held his breath at Dist's statement that he said really naturally

「This one year was full of upheaval The assault of the Ragnarok, then there was also the appearance of the Lords, the rulers of the past that moved the very Ruins itself and threatened the country There were also victims from that The hearts of the people are ruled by anxiety, her n of the country got looked down on, and the consuls who belong to the Old Empire faction raised their hands in an attee themselves」

「But, even that has calht now It's because you, the New Kingdoht victory to the New Kingdom」

Dist turned towards Lux after lightly gulping down his wine

「You are soon Paladins of other countries, and also the central character in Syvalles, the group that can possibly even becodoains this time is the direct subordinate of Princess Lizsharte, then the people and also the consuls will have to recognize the result as her majesty's achievement too But if it's looked from another perspective──」

「The present do on the position that I display from here on……is that what you mean?」

Dist confirmed towards Lux's serious expression

「Just as you also knoe lost ards to the nurturing ofDrag-Knight's, if someone can secure the 『hero』 who has also obtained support froovernine just howyou during the teeks you were recuperating?」

Lux co his position and fell silent

He saved the world froon Paladin

Lux hihtest desire for authority

In the first place he didn't even have the leeway to think about such thing

But, now that the world had been saved without problem like this, the flohere people wanted to use Lux as a weapon in political strife seeer than before

The cornerstone of the next war potential

If the existence that was considered as a hero in the New Kingdom entered under the banner of soed

「Even so, if you are still like before then there won't be any probleation towards her majesty the Queen and the Princess, I also heard that your relationshi+p with them is favorable You still have the collar of a criminal put on you, but no one can find any fault even if it is taken off from you Therefore, I'll ask you this」

Dist's expression suddenly tensed

He fired off words like a bullet with a strong tone that questioned Lux's resolve

「Do you really think that her ht now has the caliber that is worthy to bring the New Kingdoether? Do you think that you can entrust the future fro someone else──」

Tension ran through the underground bar

A great feudal lord as a chosen even throughout the New Kingdom There was no way Lux who in the past tried to cause a revolution against the Old E there was inside the question of Dist as the head of one of the Four Great nobles

The rewriting of the politicaluse of Lux's existence

He was being invited in order to realize the matter that was explained to him just now

「I heard frohter that she is close with you This will depend on you but, I won't hter to you as proof of our alliance」

The confined and soundless space was filled with oppressive silence

At the end of his pondering for a short while, Lux opened his mouth

This talk was concluded a few o from the bar

–

Part 2

「I'm back, Airi ──Wait, uwah!?」

In the reserved inn where several dozens of the Acade

When Lux opened the door of the hotel rooned to hiht

Sitting on the sofa inside were Sharis, Tillfur, and Noct, the familiarsmall and quiet was Airi

And then even further in front of the before him

「I have been waiting, Aruji-saood health」

The one as looking up to hiaze was Kirihime Yoruka

He was told by Airi that she was going to the Royal Capital for a while, so this was also his reunion with her after teeks

She wasn't wearing her uniform but the black outfit of the nation of Koto

Although Lux was surprised by the sudden happening, he was happy to be able to reunite with a coether with him and responded to her with a smile

「It has been a long time Yoruka Are you well? I wonder how many days it has been since the last time we met」

When Lux relaxed his expression and talked to her, Yoruka showed a carefree smile and words were formed from her well-shaped lips

「Oh my, Aruji-sama is such a joker Since I woke up, most of the time I was always nearby Aruji-sama」

「……Yes?」

Lux froze after hearing the words that she muttered naturally

No, there was no way that could be true

At the very least he had noYoruka for teeks since he returned to the new kingdo

「Then, it's me and Noct on the bet with this The pay to Cross Field, so please pay with sweets and tea then」

When Airi told that saze to Lux

「Lux-chi, you noticed didn't you? I' you please say sooo!」

「Err, just what is it about……?」

When Lux asked back with an astonished expression, Airi smiled with a triumphant expression

「It's just everyone overesti Nii-san too ly full of openings It's naïve that they don't understand about that」

「Yes I was betting on Lux-san not noticing, but I'm surprised instead in a different sense It's unexpected that Yoruksan didn't make any moves towards Lux-san at all in these teeks」

Noct was expressing her i expressionless in contrast to her tone

Besides her Sharis was scratching her head with a face that looked shocked

「Unfortunately I too was bothered by that To think that row such common sense」

「Err, can so on already──」

When Lux ti convinced by themselves, Airi nonchalantly told him

「It's not like it's so whether in the end Nii-san would notice Yoruksan guarding you or not while Nii-san was sleeping for teeks That's all」

「……Eeh!?」

When Lux opened his ave him an explanation in order

Yoruka who recovered early from the previous battle personally offered to stay at Lux's side constantly

But, Airi pointed out that if she did that Lux would becoht be unable to rest Also, taking the possibility of Lux getting targeted by external ene in a way that even Lux himself wouldn't notice』 was proposed

The Triad who heard about that story froestion playfully to kill time

They were secretly betting whether Lux would notice Yoruka or not in these teeks

「……Haa, is that so」

Lux felt exhausted at the fact that he finally realized

Certainly Yoruka's stealth ability was also so unable to notice her in that long period

Because, in the worst case that the opponent wasn't Yoruka, but a spy or a bandit like Dragon Marauder, it wouldn't be strange even if he had got his life taken away like that

「But, it has been a long ti Aruji-sa was──」

「Was there any suspicious signs or so?」

Airi gasped at Yoruka's i and questioned her

Lux also became curious and strained his ear, and then an unexpected answer came back

「Yes Seeing Aruji-sama unable to move his body satisfactorily, it made me want to help It was really difficult to suppress my own desire It was also the saed clothes in the bathroo a meal Especially when Aruji-sama just woke up and it looked like his body was in pain──」

Yoruka's cheeks blushed and she showed an intoxicated expression Everyone fell silent in response

A few seconds later, Sharis sighed with an astonished expression

「Looks like the existence of the 『pact』 was really helpful Because of that Lux-kun's virginity just barely got away froer」

「Yes It seeerous than expected」

「Lux-chi! You didn't get anything strange done to you right!? You are really okay right!?」

「So really uneasy now……」

「Please rest assured, Aruji-sa to see whether there would be anything slipped into them」

Yoruka showed a bright and wide s that, an aard silence filled the room

「Yoruksan Can you teach me later secretly just what did you do specifically?」

「Wai-!? I' more than that so don't say it-!」

Lux screamed in order to drown out Airi's request

He passed the ti with disturbance that wasthan usual

–

Part 3

The night of the day they arrived in the capital came Tomorroould be the parade

After Lux passed a peaceful tiirls, for some reason he couldn't fall asleep so he went to the rooftop of the inn to feel the night wind

「Yoruka, can you hear me? Can I ask you to take care of Airi?」

「Understood I'll also watch out the surrounding with Yato no Kami's radar」

Lux smiled wryly at the reply that cah it was only natural

He lightly waved his hand before cli up the stair and opened the door

「Soic」

The night scenery of the capital spread out

Lux i the proof of the city's prosperity in the forhts in the town that looked like stars

It had only been five years since the day of the Revolution

The buildings theed that much, and yet the scenery looked different from before

Perhaps it was because Lux was getting involved with this country once dom, or perhaps because his criminal self had made a lot of comrades

Or perhaps──

–

『Is it because you noticed that you will lose them once more? Chore boy, it's about time to wake up from your dream』

–

Themade Lux focus his eyes

He could see a silhouette near the edge of the inn's rooftop

Awith the azure ht behind him

The vice captain of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Singlen Shelbrit

Lux heard that after Singlen fought hidom

(But, why is this ht, that time he……)

The string ofon snapped off

When he focused his eyes, that figure vanished and in exchange a single Drag-Ride was landing down on the rooftop

「What's with that face? This is a reunion after so long you know? You are ht──……after all」

「You are──」

The girl dispelled the ar with a sulky look that looked somewhat vexed

The blonde hair in sidetail fluttered in the wind

Her gaze contained a heat like a flame that was hidden within her petite body

Lux's expression naturally burst into a s a white coat

「Lisha, sama?」

「Here I am Lux That, you know, I really wanted to meet you……」

「──Yes」

Seeing Lisha averting her face in eed towards her

Lux see to spread out his hands reflexively, but he then kneeled on the spot hurriedly

(Wait, just what a to……)

Just now, did he al Lisha spontaneously?

Lux was exasperated with hi like that unconsciously

But Lisha as also fored her expression into dissatisfaction

「Just what's with you…… Even though, it's okay even if you continued with that just now」

「N, no-, reat that Lishsaht already?」

「Well, I couldn't h Since I became able to use Over Unit, I can understand just how reckless you have been until now No wonder your little sister is a art like that」