Volume 15 Chapter 5 (2/2)

「You are happy even while saying that right? Trying to sexually harass a Seven Dragon Paladin in a public setting like this, are you planning to develop an international problem?」

Magialca atching that frorin

Greifer was staring at that with an exasperated face, while beside hi

Mel, who couldn't drink alcohol because of her age, seee pile of food was heaped up in front of her by Philuffy's kindness

Thinking back now, it was really a miracle that everyone could come back without any serious injuries

Even though they also fought thatthe Lord faction

'Coht of Singlen's figure at the corner of the party

Perhaps because he lost his confidant Zweigbergk, he was placing a beautiful wolasses who seeht order as a replace wine silently

Singlen got into a duel with Lux because of their difference in objectives, but he wondered if he should be happy that Singlen safely survived

He was a bit anxious wondering if Singlen was doing various kinds of intrigue behind the scenes of the negotiations regarding the legacies and technologies of Avalon in the future

「Kukuku, that guy also looks lonely huh Yosh, this is the captain's order Pour hilass becoerated a apart」

Magialca's lips curved and she instigated Lux

Her relationshi+p with Singlen wasn't good in the first place, but really, what a bad personality

In fact, Lux had obstructed and ended Singlen's objective, so it would be provocative if Lux went to pour him wine

But, this was that Singlen who always acted haughty and arrogant that they were talking about, so perhaps he would only scoff at him

Perhaps it would be fine if he talked with him briefly at least to thank him for all his help until now

Thinking that, Lux waited for the right tilen with a wine bottle in his hand

When Lux approached until a certain distance, Singlen narrowed his single eye and looked up

「That's an adimportantly huh, hero-dono」

「You only arrived to this party just now It shouldn't be that long already……」

Lux replied with an exasperated face, however Singlen laughed hie in his attitude

「I'hable that you didn't even notice ot told by that upstart female fox」

He wondered what Singlen meant by 'previous party'

If he reether with Singlen should be the one in the fortress at the abandoned capital Guernica

「──But, I guess it's only natural You are accepting this future that you are wishi+ng yourself You won't be able to easily escape just because of a little out of place feeling, with you under the influence of xxxXX's Divine Raiment」

「……Ha?」

Lux was unable to hear only a part of Singlen's talk

It wasn't a proble the words even though he could hear it

Lux was captured by such inco

「If it's you who had received Baptism several times, sooner, or rather, you will surely reach it Even so, it will be a different matter whether you will be able to face it or not The seven Ruins……before all the ArtifactsTransfor Weapons completely resonate with each other, you first have to escape froe」

He couldn't understand what Singlen was talking about

But, for sonore it

(Eerr──what should I do again?)

In the ht in his hand

A red wine bottle He calen

「Quickly pour it, chore boy That's your job」

「Haa, I understand」

Lux let out a sigh while pouring the wine just as he was told

But, the poured wine slipped through the glass Singlen was holding and trickled down directly onto the floor

「──! Wha, what are you doing-!?」

「Eh……?」

The spectacled beauty as sitting nearby yelled in surprise

When Lux tilted his head without understanding just as going on, Singlen's figure had vanished without hi

It wasn't that Singlen had gone so There was only the floor there

「My goodness, looks like you are really drunk huh, hero-dono Should Relie and I nurse you? Hmm?」

「Lu-chan It's no good, if you drink too much」

When Magialca stood up looking like she was going to make trouble, Philuffy stopped her

Lux was staring still at the floor where the wine spilled out while theat the side

(What, is this Soe)

「Lux There is only good wine provided here! I'll have you compensate for the wine that you made the floor drink If you don't want that, then come pour wine for me too!」

「Can I also ask you to do that, Lux-kun? If I don't request you before your collar gets formally taken off──」

Lisha as looking drunk called out to Lux Krulcifer also continued after her

However, the wedge of doubt that was driven into Lux's chest wouldn't come off

「Where did Sir Singlen go?」

When Lux addressed the woe of her glasses up with one hand while looking up at Lux's face with suspicion

「Even if you askto this party though」

「What did you say……?」

「Just like I said,」

「Kukuku, that guy He is running away because he is scared ofhim」

「That's not it! I won't forgive any insult to leader!」

When Magialca len with a mean smile, the spectacled woman objected back

The spark of argu confusion as though his head was punched

──Contradiction

Why was Magialca accepting the explanation from the woman just now?

Even though Lux was pouring sake for Singlen because of her instruction in the first place……

「Captain Magialca, what you said just now──」

When Lux raised his face quickly and called Magialca's naure also vanished from the party

「Phi-chan Where is Captain Magialca!?」

She should be in a quarrel with the woo, but now he couldn't catch sight of her shadow

When Lux talked to Philuffy beside hihtly tilted her childish face and stated with surety

「If it'slike picking up the young men of the capital」

Philuffy didn't see of the words that she said Lux directed a conflicted gaze towards her, however he was convinced

「I see Both of them aren't here in the first place aren't they? Because those two──at that time」

──A pool of blood

The redness of the spilled wine that was spreading on the floor beca

The figure of so was──

「Uh, gu……!」

A high fever ran through Lux's body vertically and he got dizzy

Celis quickly supported hi

「Are you alright Lux!? If you are feeling bad, I'll carry you to the doctor──」

「……I'ht, Celis-senpai I'm not used to drink too much, so if I can vomit it a bit……」

「I'll accompany you, Lux-kun Don't force yourself」

Aeril who came from somewhere lent Lux her shoulder

He left the party following her suggestion

–

Part 4

「How are you feeling now, Lux-kun?」

「I'ht be fine even if I don't vomit……」

In the corridor on the second floor of the castle Lux was feeling the wind at a place where he could see the atriu powerlessly

For soht was attracted towards a spot in the courtyard, but he couldn't find anything strange there

There was so there at the previous toh

The irl and a man in a tailcoat suit as murdered by it

「Uh……!」

Lux was assaulted by a strong dizziness and he staggered

Then Aeril nestled close to him and kindly caressed his back

「Don't force yourself I'ht at your side」

Lux felt relieve from the sweet scent of her body and her pleasant skin's warmth

Aeril earing a light green dress was ephelove felt pleasant

The night wind cooled down the heat in his body The clouds above moved and the moon's face came into view

He also saw the waning moon in the parade inside his dream, but its shape was different from before

(Why? Why is thesuch things?)

Lux lost his words towards theof uneasiness

When Lux was looking up towards the moon, Aeril in front of him suddenly smiled

「It's too late to ask this but, what do you think? My figure in a dress」

「──You look beautiful, very much so I cannot see you as a boy anymore now」

His awareness was pulled back by her voice He stared hard at her charure

She earing a small tiara on her head and a dress that had thin fabric above it

And then the white gloves and tights on her arynous charm of Aeril's slender and well-proportioned body

「Thank you I' able to hear Lux say that」

Aeril alking fro the courtyard towards the terrace that was jutting to outside

Lux also naturally followed her She then twirled around with a graceful smile

In the dark night, the sky was inlaid with stars, while countless lights could be seen on the ground

Aeril as standing out in the darkness looked so ephemerally beautiful that it made him speechless

At the sa up inside him constricted his chest

When Lux noticed, he spoke out words of apology

「More importantly, sorry──」

When Lux bent his waist and lowered his head, Aeril's eyes opened wide

「About Hayes and Listelka I talked big, but in the end I couldn't save theive Aeril any time to talk with them for the last time」

Aeril's eyes blinked in response to Lux's apology

Before long it seeaze and turned her back on him

「──Lux-kun You see, I'm thankful to you Very much so, that no h Because you were there, I was able to believe in the people of this era I was able to head towards the path that I believe in」

When Lux raised his head, Aeril was turning only her head to look at hiht

She was directing a sorrowful but peaceful sly

She originally had the standing as an imperial faht of the world and saved Lux and the others

「But, even my elder sister and little sister had their own positions They harmed the people of this world and attempted to one-sidedly rule with force I think that cannot be allowed However, ere taught to live like that They could only see the world like that」

「It was only Lux-kun as thinking about the matter of Hayes and Listelkneesama It's a selfish story even if I say so myself, but I think they were saved just by your intention even after having that s done to you That there was a possibility that they could mutually understand the people of this era too……」

「Aeril……」

Her kind smile and words soaked his wounded heart

And then, the body war towards him lied on top of Lux

「──I love you, Lux-kun」

Chu-, her shtly above Lux's lips

The tiht scenery for a few seconds of bewildered shock

「I love your kind side I love how you are unable to overlook when there is soht for the hurt I also love how you are doing your best without even cos And your slightly indecent side too, if it's Lux-kun──I'll permit it」

Squeeze Aeril put th into her ar her feeling in rapid succession

His heart was tre

Lux's ar to embrace her──however, he was unable to

「Eh?」

「──Geez, this is because h it will be fine even if you lose to your desires for a bit more」

Aeril sht sulkiness

Lux was receiving a sensation as though his chest was cla to confess

That he already had a love relationshi+p with Yoruka

And then, hoas feeling guilt even towards that fact itself

It was like there was one irl who he had told of his love──

「That's, Aeril I'm……」

「It's okay, Lux-kun I knoanted to say it even while knowing that It's regrettable If only I could meet you──just a bit faster……」

Aeril hugged her own ar with self-depreciation

「No Even that is just an excuse Those girls have been inside your heart from far before Even if you aren't aware of it, Lux-kun, you loved all of them As the opposite sex」

「I don't knohether what I'll be telling you after this is really so correct But, I want Lux-kun to know it Perhaps if it's you who saved us, then surely you will find some kind of answer…… I have such a hunch Sayonara, Lux-kun It was really fun until now」

Aeril showed her best smile and waved her hand

Right after that, the ure disappeared

The sah she wasn't there since the beginning

「……-!? ──What, is this sound and light?」

Mysteriously he didn't feel it was strange that Aeril disappeared right before his eyes

In exchange his attention was coht that suddenly manifested

Fla up at a corner of the don It was visible from the castle's terrace

The bright red flickering fla white smoke

The faintly audible sounds of sword fighting and the sounds of Drag-Rides

「Why are the Drag-Knights out!? No, since ere they fighting!?」

Lux headed to the edge of the terrace and his body leaned out froaze

It was hard to make it out from afar, but there was no doubt that there was a battle between Drag-Knights there

A force of several dozen Drag-Knights seeht, but in defiance to the difference in nuht was the one with the superiority

The Drag-Rides opposing the lone Drag-Knight were being shot down one-sidedly Their nu reduced at an accelerated speed

(Who is fighting who? No,this!?)

Even though such a fierce battle was unfolding this nearby, not to uards weren't reacting

Far fro the parade alking near the battle weren't even paying attention to the battle

That fact, that strangeness fiercely fanned up Lux's sense of danger

(Is this an illusion that I'!? This is, this scene──!)

But, even while Lux was doubting his own perception, his body was reacting

He pulled out his Sword Device and summoned the Wyvern that he equipped on his body

First he fleards the destination by taking a detour in order to observe the situation

When the distance was gradually decreasing, Lux's head was hit by even more shock

–

「You bastard──who are you-!? Were you sent by the queen!? Why are you……gubaah!」

The question froony

The one who acco-Ride with four legs It seemed to be a special type equipment that was similar to a Drake, but it was a unit that he saw for the first time

Droopingout from the pilot's head

「It's because all of you are hindrances deariies, but it will really help if you die here dearimasu」

The Autoht in her eyes was the Gear Leader asthe Ruin Hall──Ney Louches

After the great war at Avalon, for some reason, even Krulcifer was unable to meet her in the Y hts

That incomprehensible scene caused Lux to doubt his eyes while he was holding his breath

It was obvious that the right to command her was stolen by someone just like when an Automata was under Hayes's control and she was made to do this

(Who is controlling the Automata? For what!?)

With an effort Lux endured his feeling that wanted to immediately stop this and continued to observe

The Autodom's military The uniform was different

In that case, could they be the private army of some noble?

The nobles were sureat war and they dispatched their subordinate Drag-Knights in order to obtain deeds of arht in Listelka's trap and destroyed by the revived seven Ragnarok

Lux presumed that this was a force that was instead formed to cause trouble in the middle of the parade

「You da us-!? What happened to Waybra!?」

One of the man yelled with a desperate look

Lux recognized the face of the Drag-Knight as taking command at the rear

No──it wasn't recognition The face of the man looked similar to someone else he knew

The ht in the past, the eldest son of one of the Four Great nobles, Balzeride Kreutzer

The looks of this er hair

(Sieg Kreutzer!? No, more importantly, he said Waybra just now──)

The noble who Dist told him about the other day, Waybra

The man was a distant relative of the Old Eovern the New Kingdom's administration

And then he also heard fro Kreutzer also obtained so-Knight force

Dist told hi bad in the middle of the parade

Even so, the force the athered was only on the level of a speck compared to the scale of the Imperial Capital Recapture Plan that Hayes executed in the past

No do with just that much force

Right after Lux thought that, he noticed a strange out of place feeling

The wreckages of the Drag-Knights' -Rides

For some reason a lot of them were made up from Drake's armor

The special equipated abilities that Wyvern and Wyrh with just one or two of it in a squadron

With Drake, the stability of the squadron would increase ree by roup

(──Why? Is it to keep watch of their surroundings? No, five or six people should be enough just for that, and if it's for spying using Drake's cae function, there is no need to assemble them in one place like this)

He didn't understand

The parts in order to derive the correct ansere funda within Lux's mind

Was there anything else other than the information that Dist told him──

「You are really noisy dearimasu You are unnecessary in the correct history I will dispose of you」

Instantly, the red Divine Drag-Ride Ney Louches earing spouted out flahtly

The tip of the sharp sword that was thrust out next pierced the EX Drake of Sieg Kreutzer, burning it from the inside

「──Gu, GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH……! Yo, you bastard-! You killed Waybra didn't you!? Was it Lux Arcadia's instruction!? Or else──gafuh!」

「It's night so please be quiet, dearih」

Ney Louches cut off Sieg's yell with a cold gaze

Though imperfect he was still a user of EX Drake, but he was easily consigned to oblivion That deed caused Lux to forget to breath

(No──more importantly, why?)

Lux was shocked by the terrifying strength of the Auto after another puzzle

(Why did Waybra as a noble in the era of the Old Empire approach the Old Eot his hands on Infordom──)

And then, the words that Sieg spoke out before his death

His roup was sent by Lux or another person

The fact that it was hinting at was──

「Are you noticing me, Lux Arcadia?」

Ney Louches was directing her gaze towards the shadow of the building where Lux was hiding

There was no change at all in her adorable appearance with the dog ears growing from her head, but her expression was far different fro attached to Krulcifer at the Ymir Theocracy's Hall

(I don't understand what's with this situation However, I'll have to fight if she is co here──)

Lux tightly grasped his Wyvern's Blade and prepared to meet the opponent's attack

But, after watching the situation wordlessly for a while, Ney Louches faced away

「Roger deariet Because you won't become a hindrance for the history revision anyway, and above all else, it seedom from here on」

Ney Louches turned around abruptly and took off her gaze from Lux

She followed the force of Sieg Kreutzer that was starting to scatter and escape She readied her Cannon and began shooting

「……Stop it-! I'll erase the recording! I won't get involved with this case any you so spare me-!」

The person as begging for his life with a voice that was inviting pity got his neck reaped mercilessly

Next the people who got pursued fro to escape

「Yo, you damn idiot! There is still other Drakes that are in possession of the recording! If you kill us, that recording will get published──gefuh!」

One soldier that was trying to bargain further got his mouth sealed with a flash of a sword

(……Recording? This force──Waybra and Sieg Kreutzer, are they in possession of some kind of secret?)

Were they recording so the special equipotiation material?

Then, on the last day of the previous parade, the corpse of the man in a tailcoat suit that Lux saw at the castle's courtyard was──

(The one as killed by the Automata El Fajura at that time was, Waybra! And then the second tiot killed!? By a Gear Leader who is controlled by someone……)

But, why?

Why were the Automata controlled?

Lux racking his brain to solve the questions was perplexed

Excluding Aeril, the awakened Lords were completely annihilated, that hy there should be no one as able to do that

There was no way Aeril as in control of Avalon would do so like this

Even the citizens itnessing this noisy battle weren't noticing the disturbance

–

「I──know about it」

–

Suddenly Aeril's voice entered his ear

When Lux io was standing there

She earing the Acadeood on her before She was staring at Lux with a pained expression

Her braided radiant silver hair aying because of the night wind

「I knew the secret of the Zero Ruin that was sealed in the archive of the seventh Ruin Moon But, it was just as Sir Singlen pointed out, I was hiding it If this secret was known by so to misuse it will surely appear No──it won't end with just that much That hy, I couldn't tell anyone the true function of Avalon」

Aeril who suddenly appeared was for her words in a whisper

Lux was already not bothered by the uncertainty of her existence

Lux si towards her

「That is exactly, the Zero Ruin──ArtifactTransfor-Ride Ouroboros's Divine Raiment, EndlessEternal Recurrence Avalon is half the body of Ouroboros, it's also a duhty power that far surpassed the perception manipulation I used to falsifyinto the perception of hu each Ruin as its transmission amplification device」

Lux felt with certainty, that these weren't words that were being said right now

These ords that Aeril were telling him at that time

「Ouroboros can rewind people's e history No matter how much destruction has happened, or how manyperception manipulation that will adjust the events to fit the situation to a certain degree The seven Ruins──Artifacts' other side is as devices to brainwash the people to revise the history while at the sas that are unnecessary for history, and creating the necessary things」

(So……that's why So, it's like that)

Lux could understand the reason why Aeril couldn't tell anyone that fact even though she knew it

If it became known that Avalon had that much power, if it became known that it would be possible to rule over other people as they pleased, anyone would take action in order to steal it no matter what kind of method they had to use

After all, the person who used that first would become the absolute victor

If other people's perception was thrown out of kilter and history was revised, other people wouldn't even notice that they were being exploited

That person would literally obtain the world in their hand

Therefore, by the point of ti like peace between countries would be impossible

The rens and influential people would pour everything they had into battle and rushed towards a bloody war

Aeril, Lux, Airi, those who had the bloodline of Arcadia would inevitably get targeted

「But people who received Baptisreater the extent of Baptism they received, the more they would be able to resist the perception ree That's why, I'll leave the rest to you It's fine even if you decide to not fight It's fine even if you decide to follow someone else You who acceptedconcerned even towards Listelkneesama and Hayes, if it's you, I will believe in your justice, your decision」

After saying that, Aeril's expression loosened into a s off loneliness

She showed Lux the best s with a voice that was filled with deep affection

「──Sayonara, Lux-kun I'm happy that I could ain, within your consciousness at least」

「Aeril……?」

Her figure was faintly

Before long her figure would vanish completely Just before that happened, Lux caasp

「The eliet──is finished dearimasu Next is to wait for Endless's reactivation dearimasu, Arshalidono」

The battle was ending while Lux was listening to Aeril's words

The wreckages of the s-Rides and the scorched corpses of the users were scattered all over the main street

The cri killed everyone with certainty──, no, around four or five people seee

(Are they……being allowed to escape intentionally? It see by Arshalia's order)

The Gear Leader of Avalon, Arshalia

If the other Gear Leaders wereby her direction, as expected the person who obtained Avalon was the one as ordering this action

「More iet away dearimasu If it's me, I'll be able to kill them easily you know?」

「It's in order to arrive at the real thing, nanodesu」

A Drag-Ride with ar behind Lux without hi it

It was the first ti-Ride, but the rider was familiar to him

Clothes that was tightly fitting to the body and looked similar to a pilot suit Mechanical ears that looked like rabbit ears growing from the head

The Automata they once discovered in the Ark and accompanied them before her authority was usurped by Hayes and she became their enemy──La Cruche

「Sure thing, what do you mean by that dearimasu?」

「……Please wait a second nanodesu The transmission from Captain Arshalia is interrupted No, it's not like I'h it's my oords nanodesu──」

The behavior of the easily carried away Auto to shi+ft the responsibility felt slightly nostalgic──

However at the sa dread at the content of their conversation

Ney Louches as looking exasperated suddenly hit her hand with a plop and looked up at her co midair

「A contact came to me dearimasu It seems that it's the idea of the newthis parade dearimasu With that the history will be correctly revised dearimasu」

「Right right, that's it nanodesu! I know that right from the start you know, nanodesu」

「In the end you corief, this piece of junk── I wonder why you didn't have the intellect strengthening re done to you」

「You are acting haughty for a mere little sister nanodesu! Looks like it's necessary to teach you your place」

La Cruche flared up at Ney Louches as nonchalantlyfun of her

Lux was listening to that hare, at the sa down in Lux's head

(History's revision……? So to manipulate history?)

Lux had an idea about someone ould do that

(That's right I, at that time──!)

Suddenly rainbow colored light overflowed from the two Automata before his eyes

For some reason, the deathly battle at the abandoned capital Guernicaat the back of Lux'sfurther away