Volume 15 Chapter 4 (1/2)

Episode 4 - Between the Line of the End and the Beginning

–

Part 1

Theof the third day that was the last day of the parade finally arrived

「Good ? Today is your big moment, so please look sharper」

Ten seconds after Lux woke up in a roo

But, it was reasonable

On the second day yesterday, because Lux was one of the leading actors at the banquet in the castle, and then because he had an idom, he was surrounded by the nobles and influential people from countries all over the world He was made to drink and paid attention to them

「I'll go washin my system but, I'll let it all out before the commendation ceremony」

Lux headed to the washi+ng place with heavy footsteps

Yesterday he was at a bustling party froht

He talked with the representatives froon Paladins, and then got reunited with Krulcifer, Celis, and Aeril after so long He talked a lot with them and shared happiness with each other

Perhaps thanks to Philuffy, as cauard of Lux and Lisha, and Yoruka, as in charge of the security outside, no accident happened at all even at the party where a lot of iathered Today──the third day of the parade safely arrived

On the last day of the New Year parade, her ive an admonitory speech towards the populace fro out from the castle And today there would be an even more important announcement

The iven commendation in front of the masses and at the end Lux and Airi would be freed from their collars

After that a celebration would be held in the castle and the next es back to Cross Field

With that it would be the end

The battle to save the world from the unprecedented threat of Sacred Eclipse would close its curtains and frootiation to divide the assets of Avalon as Lisha's knight

But, at the same time he had to produce an answer for one other problem before this time period was over

At any rate when this parade ended, the girls would surely convey their feelings to him

Until now, Lux was thinking that he had no qualification to be chosen by the girls

Even if he was harboring strong feelings towards them, it wouldn't take shape in reality, however──

「Perhaps, I have been running away all this time」

In his childhood, as the youngest brother as far away fro any authority, he was placed in a reality where he was ht of even amidst the imperial family

He had a past where he becaet of hatred from the populace after he was banished frorandfather's case

He becah his chores livelihood for five years and everyone in the Academy treated him well Even so, he was scared at the bottom of his heart

If in the future his position changed and the way everyone looked at hied, surely he wouldn't be able to endure it for sure this ti them seriously

However──

「I'll go to the capital's arena I' to come back before noon」

「Nii-san?」

It would be troubling if his presence caused a commotion, so he hid his face under a hood and asked Relie to arrange a horse carriage

He was advised to bring Philuffy as a guard, but he wanted to be alone so he refused it

Yoruka was…… he uard Airi just in case, and he kept it like that

Naturally, in the middle of the period of the New Years parade, there was no one as riding their Drag-Rides other than the security

Originally it was not per-Ride at the arena, but he said that he wanted to test his Drag-Ride and received permission

「──Coon of crest that is the symbol of power Obey my sword and soar, Wyvern」

Lux wore the Wyvern that had been repaired and ascertained its usability

He perforradually progressed to the practical operations

While he was controlling the Drag-Ride with a concentration that was free fro serene like the blue sky

At the sa that was born inside him

「──Thank you, everyone」

The resolved Lux sweated and got back to the inn

It was chilly under the winter sky, but it felt as though his body was tense instead

–

Part 2

And then, sunset arrived on the parade's last day

At the streets of the Royal Capital, in front of the terrace that was jutting out fro

Along with the heat that was created from the countless torches in iron baskets, the people's expectations were swirling before the commendation ceremony for the military exploits that would be carried out after this

First, Pri Queen Raffi surveyed the populace and raised his voice with a fervent speech

「Then, just as planned, the couished in Various trials had been idom from last year until this year! Because of the Abyss's attack, the rebel army's threat, the appearance of the Lords, and furtherhts to be lost It also put the people through a lot of hardshi+ps」

He closed his eyes looking like he was thinking back deeply before continuing his talk after an interval of time

「However, ere victorious! Their arressors from the ancient era, the Lords, suppressed the center of the Ruins Avalon, and sealed the Sacred Eclipse After this ill negotiate with all the other countries, to ascertain our spirit of cooperation whileuse of the Ruin's power for the sake of peace and prosperity!」

──OOOOOOOH!

Noisy cheers were created like a ripple before receding

Inside, Lux was feeling soressors, but when considering the New Kingdo theuys

He orried about Aeril, but her safety was guaranteed, so from now on Lux could only pay attention to her situation

「Participating in the last decisive battle and becouished service was the raid force of the Acadedoth of Syvalles and give them commendations on this occasion Come forward!」

Obeying Pri Lux lined up on the castle's terrace

Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Celis, Airi, the Triad

The government wanted to e the Academy uniform

Yoruka had also been invited several times to participate, but she completely refused because it would make it harder for her to act covertly if she went out in the open

The plan was to at least give her the reward money directly

–

「Thank you for protecting our country!」

「The future of the New Kingdouys!」

「We cannot call you criminals or chore prince anymore huh, hero who saved the world!」

–

While cheers of cole voice that could be heard in the middle caused Lisha to smile

She turned her head a bit to htly to each other

「Then, I too have news for all of the people here」

Next Queen Raffi walked forward at the ti down

She cleared her throat and exposed her graceful smile to the eyes of the public

「This time due to my inexperience, a lot of burden was forced on all of you The dareat Various issues are also reain If I can speak my mind honestly, this is a situation where I don't even have the self-confidence as this country's sovereign」

The expression of the people that was filled to the bri Queen Raffi's uncertain words

Lux as reunited with her once more at this place also felt the same

She was also showing a pessiure to Lux and Lisha at the fortress in the abandoned capital Guernica

Lux was feeling bewildered that she wassuch a remark even at the event of the New Years parade

Lux was going to say so, but beside him Lisha tapped his back

She didn't say anything, but her self-assured s him 「Don't worry」

「──But, at this chance, I received help from so many people The heads of the Four Great nobles who possess their own order of Drag-Knights, Prime Minister Nulph and the consuls, the representatives of other countries, all of the citizens of this country I can say without a doubt that this victory would be beyond our reach without the support of all those people」

Raffi raised her face and showed a gentle s that

「The long history of the Old Eed into this new h I couldn't even succeed the will of e the old tradition」

'But'──Queen Raffi said that word as a preface and walked to the front

Toward the side of Lux and Lisha aiting for her next words with a tense look

「The resolve of these two illu and inexperienced didn't lose heart towards the heavy weight of responsibility and cut open the way to the future Their attitude and achievements who put their all to advance forward in the present is soht to learn from That's what I believe」

Queen Raffi's speech athered people lose their words

They iined the content of her next words and stared fixedly at her while holding their breath in expectation

「I swear that I will accomplish my duty as queen from here on too At the same time I also wish to bestow to them the reward of amnesty The criminal collar of the Old Empire's imperial family, Lux Arcadia and Airi Arcadia I want to take it off in this place」

The terrace of the castle was enveloped with even deeper silence than before

But, the sound of clapping hands resounded froh the whole crowd and applause that split the eardrums thundered loudly

「──Looks like their answer is clear Congratulations, Lux-kun」

Krulcifer who came to his side first placed her hand on Lux's shoulder and smiled at him

Celis and Philuffy who saw that also sloalked to his side

「Congratulations, Lux」

「Congrats, Lu-chan」

「Yes Thank you, everyone」

When Lux replied back with a sathered around him

After Tillfur and Sharis also said their congratulations to him, Airi puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction

「Excuse me, I too will also have my collar taken off you know……」

「Yes Congratulations Airi Also Lux-san too」

「It's only Noct who is saying that to me」

Airi hugged Noct tightly Seeing that everyone hurriedly turned towards Airi

「It's alright everyone, it doesn't really ratulations Nii-san」

The sulking Airi loosened her expression and gazed at Lux with an upturned stare

Lux felt gratitude to his little sister who in these five years had been concerned about his standing all this tiently caressed her head

「Well, though honestly speaking, I' conflicted now ──Haa, with this it's finally time huh」

「……? What's wrong, Airi?」

Lux didn't understand the e up her cheeks with some dissatisfaction and he tilted his head

Then, Noct whispered into Lux's ear

「Yes The heart of a maiden is complicated I will folloith Airi, so don't worry」

「I don't really understand but, please」

Lux s that to Noct, then Lisha came towards him with an exasperated look

「You all, do that kind of thing after returning to the Acadeht now!?」

Lisha as behaving as a princess until now couldn't endure the casual conversation of the others and exploded

Krulcifer ether with everyone of Syvalles bowed towards the gathered people

The cheers that rang out for long without stopping were enveloping the terrace of the castle

And then, the last night of the parade was growing late

–

Part 3

After the commendation ceremony, a banquet was held inside the castle where only important people and people related to Syvalles were invited

The main participants were Queen Raffi and Prime Minister Nulph, and then Relie and the Four Great nobles along with their aides

Curiously, the vice commander of the military, Sharis's father was also present

It was only the house of Kreutzer who seemed to leave the party early, perhaps because of the incident in the past, but after that the party continued peacefully without any problem

「Then you know, everyone in the Acade up chore requests for Lux-kun!? They said Lux-chi isn't a criraciously Geez」

In a corner of that party

Tillfur as co up Lux with a red face

She was circling her arlass until the content was going to spill out

The atht was tense, but today after only one hour since the opening of the party, Tillfur was already in this state Perhaps it was because today there were many close comrades here

Si more comfortable with this kind of atmosphere, but the Triad who unexpectedly had bad drunken behavior was honestly troubling for him

「I'll accept the requests that caraduate from the Academy Now I have the leeway for that much after all」

「No, just howchores? We are happy with your feelings, but if you are being too kind, you will get taken advantage of you know?」

This tied him from the chair at the opposite side

Her usual rose scent was bloay by the smell of alcohol, but the texture of her breasts that were relatively big made him felt half troubled and half happy

But, he returned to his senses froaze of Airi as also similarly drunk

「I think the two of theive theetting further away」

Noct whispered that with a small voice, but Lux didn't understand what she meant

「Getting further……I only had ether in Syvalles froe」

「Haa……」

Airi who saw Lux's sh

「It's just as I said right, Noct? Nii-san doesn't notice anything at all」

「Yes I never thought that it will be this serious A drastic measure will be necessary like this」

「Eerr, what are you talking about?」

When Lux tilted his head with a troubled look, Noct unusually hung down her head

Then from behind, Aeril showed her face suddenly

「It's their last struggle you know, Lux-kun The pact has ended, so at the very least they want to have time while they still can, that's how it is」

「Wai-, Aeril!? Geez, don't bring up the heart of the matter so suddenly like thaat!」

「A punishment is needed for that kind of child Then ill show you the sexual harassment combo of the Triad! Noct too, come!」

「No The two of you are too drunk……」

Sharis and Tillfur hurriedly stood up and leaped at Aeril

It also felt like there was no one as giving the worse and worse

Noct ignored the command of Sharis who should be her lord and sat down beside Lux in exchange

「Then, I'll alsoto drink Lux-san down just like this, how about it?」

「I' it Noct Now Nii-san, before the criminal collar is taken off, please pit out all of your indecent crimes until now in the Academy」

Noct was taciturn and cal a somewhat mischievous smile, and Airi whose expression looked completely drunk

They exchanged consecutive offenses of pouring sake with excellent calculation, and Airi as picking up quarrel with hiht her towards her room, Lux secretly sneaked out from the party and headed towards the castle's terrace

At that place where it was only a few hours ago that Syvalles received the commendations, the tapestry, red carpet, candlestick and all the other decorations had been re behind

Regardless of that, a strange feeling of exaltation welled up just by standing there

It had been five years since that day of revolution, and one year since he came to the Academy