Volume 15 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Episode 5 - ArtifactTransfor-Ride 《Ouroboros》

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Part 1

The sound of fireworks could be heard fro at the Royal Capital's castle town

On the first day of the parade that celebrated the New Year, the royal fa with the soldiers' march

Naturally Lux also escorted Lisha It was decided that they would act together throughout the

「Haaa, I'm tireeed……」

After finishi+ng the greeting to the people froe that took a total of four hours and returning to the inn, Lux took off his coat and threw his body on the bed

Inside the roo thebehind theuard In addition, even the Triad came to play

「That's really slovenly, Nii-san It's really astonishi+ng that the hero who saved the world is acting like this」

Airi was also showing a slightly worn-out expression, and yet her back was still firether with Noct

「As expected, even Lux-kun looks beaten up Though the ue seems to be more serious」

「Ain't that riight It's rare to see Lux-chi that tired after doing his usual chores」

After Sharis concluded straightforwardly, Tillfur also poked fun at Lux in amusement

「Yes It can't be helped After all, this kind of diploe is Airi's field in the first place」

「It's a daily trouble for me to settle down the various commotions that Nii-san causes in the Academy you know?」

After spending a relaxing time with the Triad, Airi, and Philuffy, a party with only the students of the Acadee bar that Relie reserved exclusively for them

There they extolled the victory where they wrested back the peace and shared their happiness with each other that everyone ed to return safe and sound

Lux was surrounded by the girls due to theup and their wish to talk with him about his heroic tale at Avalon, but each tied the crowd He was thankful to them for that

「Co the parade It looked like Yoruksan was searching the surroundings frequently with Yato no Kah──」

When dusk arrived, several people headed back to their roo Lux finally began to decrease

Then, Noct as secretly approaching him whispered into his ear with a serious expression

「Yes It looked like she discovered so suspicious She wishes to talk with Lux-san regarding that──」

「Got it I'll go to the toilet for a bit and then talk to her after that」

This was a course of events that didn't happen previously Now that he thought about it, he felt like Yoruka was also telling hi nearby

No, if he remembered correctly it was a discussion that took place after this

According to Yoruka, there was the presence of so, so she left to check it out──

–

(…………? The presence of so?)

–

Was his mind in chaos after he was liberated from the tension of the New Years parade that finally arrived?

「That's fine but, please don't let Yoruksan do anything to Lux-san in the toilet…… We are in the Royal Capital after all!」

「No way, it's i that Lux couldn't declare He smiled wryly at that Lux relieved himself in the toilet and washed his hands, then he headed out of the bar

After walking for a bit, he arrived at an empty back alley There he called Yoruka's name

「Yoruka, you there?」

「Of course I am always at Aruji-sama's side」

The familiar eastern country's black outfit smoothly appeared from the shadows Yoruka then bowed reverently

As soon as the beautiful girl as called the Empire's assassin Blade appeared in front of Lux, her face burst into a bright smile instantly

「Yoruka too, it would be better if you participated in the party You are a real help for guarding our surroundings like this but, at least──」

「That consideration is enough for me, Aruji-sama」

The noble of the Old Empire faction called Waybra who raised the banner of revolt towards the New Kingdom

If Celis's father, Dist, didn't tell him about the existence of such a suspicious ilant

But fortunately that threat had already passed

(……? The threat of Waybra has passed? Why ah both Yoruka and me haven't even seen that man's appearance──)

Lux was concentrating his awareness towards the girl before hi of such question

First he gave words of thanks to Yoruka who had been guarding him and the others all this time from the shadows

「I'm really thankful I'll compensate it to you for sure when this parade is over No If it doesn't look like there will be any problem, then even now you can join the party──」

……snap-!

There was the snapping sound of so on a branch

It was a faint sound that wasfrom a distance, but Lux and Yoruka reacted immediately

They stayed hiding under the building's shadohile their hands were on the handles of their Sword Devices They held their breath while searching for the nearby presence

「Yoruka? Just now, could it be──」

「Yes, it's obviously not the presence of an ally But──it's strange」

「Strange?」

Yoruka tilted her head whilewith a serious face Lux's face turned perplexed in response

Then, without even replying back Yoruka started to walk as though she eaving her way through the back alley

She could only do that because it was impossible to summon Yato no Kami at the complicated and narrow path

Lux as concerned also followed behind her

Then, she told him the ansith a small voice that was like an insect's chirp

「The person noticed our alertness and withdrew──it doesn't look like that's the case The person here ca called by so like that I think」

「……What do you mean?」

It felt like thefurther, but it seemed even Yoruka didn't know the full details of what transpired here

While Lux was pondering, she passed through the alley with a smooth motion

And then, when she arrived at another alley with a dead-end, Yoruka stood still alone at that place

「……No one, is there?」

「It seems so」

Yoruka was staring at the ehtest movement

Seeing how her right hand kept hanging over her Sword Device, surely she was thinking that this situation was unnatural

Her purple eye that received Baptisht It was obvious that she was focusing all her concentration

Furthermore she drew out her Sword Device and summoned Yato no Kami and used the radar of a special equips

「Yoruka!?」

「Aruji-sama, please stay behind me」

For the ti Lux took cover just as Yoruka instructed, but afterin the end She gave up and dispelled her armor

「I searched every nook and cranny froround, but I aies Please grant me any punishment that Aruji-sama deems fit」

「No, there is no need for that Just, can you tell me what happened?」

Yoruka's expression seemed somewhat disappointed when she heard that there would be no punish her once more

Then, perhaps Yoruka herself didn't have a full grasp of what happened, because she was reporting to him with an unusually perplexed expression

「Speaking froination Theinto us suddenly cut out of contact here Even Yato no Ka」

「That is, certainly strange」

Lux too believed that there was no way it was just theirfrom the sound that they picked up just now

It was also unthinkable that Yoruka, who excelled in her detection ability, would make such an elementary blunder

In fact, so movement to spy on Lux and the others, but after that the person suddenly vanished

When he put it into words like that it beca, but in reality that seemed to be what actually happened

「……Eh? How did you know that the person just noas a ht of his appearance──」

「That much can be known from the pace of his steps and the loudness of the sound when stepping on the stone road If I have to say further, I can also sorasp which direction he would try to run」

As expected fro the opponent's breathing

Lux was feeling astonish where the

Then Yoruka sheathed her Sword Device and instantly answered with a graceful expression

「Most likely towards the castle Though there is still a lot of distance from here to there」

So to probe Lux

Was he an underling of an influential person as trying to put Lux under their banner just like Celis's father Dist said?

The possibility of that wasn't zero, but if that were the case then it was curious as to the reason why that person would turn back at the middle

Was it aunexpected happen?

But, surely the ansouldn't co assumptions like this when it was a situation where even Yoruka couldn't trace the footprints of the spy

He could only keep this incoh the parade carefully

「……I atch the surroundings just in case Aruji-sama, please return to the party」

Yoruka prompted him like that with a carefree smile

If it was the usual Lux, he oodwill and follow her words

However, right now, for some reason, he felt that her tone sounded somewhat lonely

「Say, Yoruka Do you want to look around the parade with ht at this time, so I think I won't stand out that much」

「……Is that alright?」

After a bit of pause, Yoruka's eyes widened in astonishment

Lux spontaneously slipped out a sirl

「Is that no good? I just want to try going around together with Yoruka」

「Then, please allow me to accompany you After all, if I'm at Aruji-sama's side, I feel like I'll be able to enjoy it」

Lux's chest thuraceful smile she showed him

Usually Yoruka would be excessive with her skinshi+p towards him in various ways, but exactly because of that, when she showed him her natural smile like this all of a sudden, she looked terribly lovely to him

Whether it was her beautifully radiant black hair, and her glossy pink lips

Her white nape and breast that peeked out fro that he would unconsciously gulp

「Yoruka, is there anything that you want to eat? I'll treat you if you don't have any money」

「It will be good if Aruji-sama will allow me to choose only from the food that you will partake of」

She replied like that, so without any other choice Lux bought ood at the food stalls

Then, Yoruka lifted up her face like a chick that was pleading to be fed She thrust out her well-shaped lips

「Please, allow me to test if there is any poison Can I receive just a bite?」

「Eh, ah…… Right」

Her pair of eyes was silently looking down Her usual bewitching allure was lowered down considerably, but in exchange now she looked like a pure innocent young girl with a lovely appearance that made him watch her in fascination

It becae course of events somehow, but this action was really like Yoruka

He never thought that her asking for only a part of his food would have this kind of

(More importantly, could it be that this situation……)

From Yoruka's point of view, this was an act that wasn't that strange But Lux noticed that seen from the side, this was coot embarrassed from that

──But, he couldn't go back from here

(Wait, thinking carefully, isn't it difficult to feed so if the skewer stabs, but──)

After worrying for a few seconds, Lux used his thuht it directly to Yoruka's mouth

When his fingertips felt the elasticity of her soft lips, a bittersweet ache welled up inside him

But, Yoruka didn't look bothered at all and put the an to chew

It see she sed the ulp

「So, how is it──uwa」

「There is no poison in it More irab the food with youe bare hands」

Yoruka brought her lips closer to Lux's finger that was s her saliva

Like that she entangled her tongue around his finger and sucked until the second joint Before long she slowly pulled her face back

The soft sensation of the lips that were holding his finger

The stickiness of saliva that arer

And then the s his brain with strange pleasure

Theher to taste for poisonto slip out of his body

「Then Aruji-sama Can you allow me to test the baked sweets too? Or perhaps, just to make sure, I should ascertain the meat skewer once more──」

「E-, err…… Then one ht, please try only the cheese cake!」

Lux rallied his reasoning that was alh the temptation

「Is that so? That's unfortunate」

Yorukasomewhat disappointed This time Lux presented her with a cheese cake

Her lips nibbled at the tip of the yellow cake that had the shape of a triangle

After chewing oncea small nod

「There is no problem Please eat up without any worry」

Yoruka's face flashed a bright s excited

He noticed when eating the cake that it was an indirect kiss, but he ate it without getting too bothered about it

「Yep, it's tasty Thank you Yoruka」

「There is no need to be considerate ofyour time with me like this」

Yoruka s somewhat intoxicated

Her rare hu

「That's because I was lonely that I was unable to meet Yoruka until now I knoas in order to protect ht if you showed yourself to me at least once──」

He knew that Airi and the Triad werea bet whether Lux would notice or not, but it should be fine even if she wasn't that stiff

When Lux said so while thinking that, Yoruka paused for a bit and before long she resolved herself and replied back

「Actually about that case, I wished for it to be like thatthe secret for me」

「Eh……?」

Lux spontaneously stopped walking at Yoruka's unexpected confession

It was just the right ti was cut off Countless street lights could be seen from above the overpass

Lux's eyes were stolen by Yoruka's side profile amidst that fantastical scenery

Her face had a so before in the middle of these three days of the parade

「If I was alone with only Aruji-sas That hy, I held back by only protecting Aruji-sama from a distance」

The confession froirl who claimed that she was just a tool

Lux was coaze that was tinged with faint sorrow

After her battle against Singlen, Yoruka who didn't possess e a certain special emotion, which she directed only towards her master, Lux

She said that she ht be in love with Lux

She said that to him

「But, it's a mistake for me who doesn't know the way for a hu able to receive Aruji-sama's affection And yet, forinvited by Aruji-sama like this──」

Was it, sympathy?

When he was looking at Yoruka, an e Lux's body feel hot

(No, wrong I am, towards Yoruka……)

All this ti that she was a human

Certainly she possessed outstanding talent and a special working of the heart, but because of that she was feared and avoided by her surroundings

–

『……I' like that──to choose the path of destroying one's own country by one's own hands in order to save it This isAruji-sa all this time for the sake of the Arcadia Empire, aren't you? In order to make it come true, the ideal country that you dreamed of──』

–

It was just like those words Yoruka said once in the past

Lux was considered as an enemy by the populace, even so as a prince of the Arcadia Empire, he tried all possible means in order to accomplish his mission

Yoruka was accepting that she was a defective good Even so she was trying to repay her little brother's feelings

Lux wanted to save Yoruka not because he wanted recompense for his past where he was unable to save the i like that, but because it was so that he personally wanted to do

Her purity that was silance

Right now, Lux noticed that all this time he had been charmed by the beauty of that purity

「I'm disqualified as a servant」

「──It's fine It doesn't matter even if you are disqualified」

The self-depreciating statement that Yoruka spoke out was cut off by Lux's reply

Those words didn't co in response When he noticed, his h those words directly came from his spinal cord

「……Aruji, sama?」

Lux's face was reflected on Yoruka's eyes

A sentle that it shocked even Lux

「I don't think that you are disqualified or anything, and even if that's actually the case, I want Yoruka to stay at my side as a human No matter what anyone says, no matter in what kind of form it will be, it's fine if you are by my side」

Staking everything on one's own feelings and persisting in carrying that out through thick and thin

The way Lux's heart worked was similar with Yoruka's

However, his feelings towards her wasn't anything like sympathy

He was in love with the beauty of this girl as even purer than himself

That hy──he wished that she would stay by his side

Because Lux thought that he hi with her at his side

「Aruji-saain──」

With a soft footstep, Yoruka walked towards him with a movement that didn't make any sound

Without even any time to react, Lux's lips were stolen in a flash

The kiss froentle scent from her hair tickled his nose

He was drunk in a pleasantness that didn't coh even their hearts were connected

They stayed still like that for more than ten seconds, where the hearts of the tere connected to each other

When Yoruka's lips finally let go, her cheeks were dyed red and she was staring at hi in passion

「……I don'tas I can stay by the side of my beloved Aruji-sama But──」

Yoruka paused for a moment, then she let out a chuckle and turned her back towards him

「It will be great if Aruji-sama can find your first, or even your second and more If possible we can test it here──」

「Hey, wait a second-!? This place is right in the middle of the capital you know!?」

Yoruka was saying that while she was going to flip up her white skirt Lux returned to his senses seeing that and stopped her

「My, we cannot? Holding back isn't good for the body, Aruji-sama」

This time it was Lux who turned red at the whisper of Yoruka as seeing through him

Lux hurriedly pinched his own cheek so he wouldn't be washed away by his instinct that was starting to want this lovely servant

「I, it's not like that It's no good doing that in this kind of place! That's why──」

「Understood Then Aruji-sa anytime」

Lux lost his words hearing the reply that she said with her usual carefree smile

If his criminal collar was taken off after the parade and Yoruka becairlfriend, it was plain to see that it would be disaster if he didn't control his, but──

(Honestly, I'm not really confident that I'll be able to endure……!)

Even while he orrying with a coently held Yoruka's hand and they returned together towards the bar

Ah the festival that was filled with happiness and excite pain in his chest

He had betrayed so it

Even though Lux didn't even understand what it was about, he was caught by such misapprehension

It was strange

Even though Yoruka should be the first girl who he wanted to be lovers with──

「Aruji-sa the matter?」

Yoruka seeuess the inside of Lux's heart fro into his face

「……It's nothing Now, let's go back」

Lux shook his head slightly and looked forith a wry smile

When he returned to the party together with Yoruka, the Triad and Airi made fun of him

Like that, the long night was growing late full of liveliness

–

In the end, where did the person who tried to approach Lux and Yoruka vanish to?

He wondered who sent that spy who came from the castle

So about that, but he couldn't find the answer until the very end

The first day of the parade finally reached the end

–

Part 2

The second day of the New Years parade, at noon

The band of the New Kingdoate

The invitees were the state guests from seven countries

The victory banquet of the sworn friends who cooperated with each other as the world alliance and saved the world would be held from noon

Of course, they weren't called here just for the celebration

It would also be ato confirm that the existence of Aeril who became the center of Avalon was neutral And it would also be a place to casually compare and adjust the direction of their plan from here on

But, that would be the job of Queen Raffi and Prime Minister Nulph

Lux was a Seven Dragon Paladin to the end, as a key figure as contributing to the victory, many people requested to meet him

In other words, Lux had to respectfully greet and thank the noble guests just like how he alas

「──It has been a long tihness, Princess Milmiette」

The representative of the Vanhei a light green dress greeted Lux with a smile

He once had ht's Class promotion exam, so they knew each other's faces

「Long ti after the negligent and careless Greifer at that time」

Her graceful sirl rather than a noble, but that amiable atmosphere felt more comfortable for Lux instead

「No, there wasn't anything like that He is certainly always behaving sulkily, but in reality he is really serious and really takes good care of others──perhaps he is just shy, don't you think so?」

「…That's what he said, Greifer Isn't that great? It looks like you won't need to get scolded by me later」

「──Wait, EEEEEH!?」

Right after Mil man who had a displeased expression appeared from inside the same coach

Lux spoke honestly because he couldn't see Greifer's figure, and yet it was a trap that was set against him

「Looks like we gotta talk for a bit with just the two of us huh, New Kingdoetic yeah」

「No, err, that……」

After showing an angry smile at the pale and bewildered Lux, Greifer headed into the castle first

Milly in front of Lux

「Forgive hiry, so if possible please keep hi cold there anyway」

「Ahaha……」

That scene easily surfaced in Lux's iination and he smiled wryly

He thought that hethat he shouldn't do, but it seemed that it was just Milmiette's consideration in her oay

After seeing off the coach going through the castle gate, he heard the footsteps of a girl who had already came down from the next coach

「In the end he is just a child What a troublingthe princess to follow up for him like that」

「──Ah」

It was a tone that sounded noble and also confident

The high pitched voice that still had a trace of childishness in it made Lux turn around

There he found a girl with platinu with a cape above it

The representative of the Yon Paladin, Mel Gizalut was standing before hi up at Lux asn't that tall

「It has been a while, Onii-chan It's great that you look healthy」

「Thanks to you Mel, too, is also looking alright I'm relieved」

Lux also replied back with a sirl's consideration

She was a young girl with her thirteen years old age, but she possessed outstanding sense as a Drag-Knight She used her sh powerful enemies even at Avalon

Her relationshi+p with Krulcifer becah the incident at the Yht noas clear that the two of theood relationshi+p as friends

「Calling him Onii-chan like that, I wonder which one of us is the childish one…… Though I was a bit lost whether to make a retort or not」

「Ah, Krulcifer-san──」

Lux turned around to the girl who got down froht in his throat with a gasp

A girl with a deep blue dress and blue hair that had a flower decoration attached on

The figure of his classmate that was beautiful like a fairy caused Lux to reflexively watch her in fascination

「What's the ot ?」

The girl's hand slowly caressed the chest of the stiffened Lux

When his chest was traced by her hand through the dress suit, an incoh his back and his body shi+vered

After watching Lux's state in enjoyment, Krulcifer closed the distance between them

Her dress that was opened at the chest area entered his line of sight His gaze was couided towards there

「I think that my injury has healed, but I wonder if there was any mark left behind I'm worried, so can you check it for me?」

「Err, that──I think it's fine Your skin looks beautiful」

Lux averted his gaze in panic and said that Krulcifer aze and whispered

「Is that so? Thank you Lux-kun is gentleh when staring I can feel relieved if Lux-kun who is like that is tellingme so much attention like this」

「Wai-, Krulcifer-san!?」

When Lux objected with reddened cheeks, she chuckled in delight

「I' I' that it unconsciously ive me」

Lux too could only nod with a troubled look after she said it like that

After so long──or rather, with Krulcifer's wiles that was getting increasingly polished, Lux could do nothing except getting toyed

It was also the sad nature of

「It doesn't look like there is anything to worry about if you can do this rief, just who is the child here」

「Oi, both of you! How long you are planning to make !」

The pope of Y and his face popped out from the coach

It seemed that because Mel and Krulcifer ran ahead, he

Lux hurriedly faced hi inside the castle until the next noble visitor arrived

Lux and the others went around to greet the sovereigns and their staffs while a themselves with reminiscent talk with their comrades in arms

–

Part 3

A peaceful tiht arrived before long

In the athered, furtherialca and Singlen also participated

It seeuests ere thein the middle, but it ended without any particular problem

After that a party was held inside the castle, and they enjoyed luxurious cooking with relish

「Lux, spend a bit of time with me Re Plica isn't here so I'm quite free」

Soffice was greedily devouring the dishes in her own pace while co to his side

At his opposite side, the drunk Rosa also came closer

「Lux-samaa If you also have some kind of order formy stay here no matter what……」

「Wai- Don't entwine your arms that much……」