Volume 16 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Episode 2 - The Two's Feeling

–

Part 1

The evening of the parade' first day

Lux alking alone through the street of the royal capital that was dyed red

In his schedule, after this a party should be held in bar along with the students of the Academy

In the first loop, Lux slipped out from the banquet and then he heard Celis's confession in the public park He then confessed to her in order to respond to her feeling

At the second loop he looked around the night stall with Yoruka alone where he heard her feeling and they became lover

But, at the third loop this time, he was unable to choose either of the until he deter three days period

(At present, it doesn't look like I'et Krulcifer-san from the start? For what?)

He was also puzzled about that point, but for the ti he could only make use of the fact that the mark on him was taken off

In the case that Pri Avalon, there was no other way then to obtain proof during this parade and interrogate him

At the sail and the Autoetting noticed

Considering that Lux himself was the main cast of this parade, it was extremely difficult to realize it into practice

But, he had no choice but to do that

At the very least, he couldn't overlook the reality of so

It would be great if there was also a comrade who understood the situation like Lux but──

「Yahhoo Lux-chi, you are really latee The party is going to start soon y'know?」

Looking there, Tillfur as in front of the inn's entrance found Lux and waved her hand at hi beside her

「You are also really full of energy huh, going out like this right after that parade Or perhaps, are you getting close with soain out there?」

「I' out for a bit」

When Lux replied like that casually, Tillfur and Sharis became speechless

Or rather, their expression also stiffened seriously at the sa?」

「Yes Lux-san, please don't worry about it We were resolved but, ere still shocked once more when it's actually really the case That's all」

Noct placed her hand on Lux's shoulder with a light tap and then sent hi stare

「Now then, I also have to report to Airi How Lux-san has finally decided his lover──」

「……Wait, you are wrong there!? I only met Krulcifer-san by accident and then talked with her, that's all!」

Lux finally noticed that they werehim and said his denial in panic

「Is that really true I wondeer Even though Lux-chi was tired at the afternoon parade, but you went into a date without even going back to the inn first, isn't that suspiciouus?」

「No, that's because it has been a long ti the truth」

Lux shook off Tillfur's suspecting gaze and returned to his room inside the inn for the uarding her and they exchanged a light talk

「Welcoreat that you are safe and sound, Aruji-sao to a date It's often said that a hero has great fondness for woh in Nii-san' cases your fondness is too excessive」

Yoruka greeted hi that came out fro Lux did was confire had happened, then he was about to head to the bar along with everyone but──

「Eh? Phi-chan, what's thein the roo outside the ith a dazed look and he called out to her

Because she was taciturn and expressionless, looking from everyone else's view she would look the saht that her condition see under the weather, but it felt like she was bothered about so a bit tired When I alking around outside just now, I saw an illusion」

「Illusion, don't tell ht tone, but Philuffy replied with a serious look

「Automata The one we met at the Ark, La Cruche」

「Eh!?」

──Thuh him

His mind instantly became blank and he stood stock still for a few seconds

「Lu-chan, what's wrong?」

Co that she couldn't hear the firework sound

The sound of firework that signaled the opening of the parade

Even though the power of Avalon's perception manipulation looped the memory of this three days period, the used upwith the loop

It was only the people's memory that was rewound to several days back They simply didn't notice any inconsistency fro of the perception manipulation, they would be convinced that the sound of firework that didn't exist was resounding in the sky

Even the battle that was occurring at the side of the parade wasn't perceived by the passerby

Looking at it fro that there was no firework and also being able to see Automata meant──

(I see, the Baptisuinea pig of hunarok was planted into her

When she entered a state of apparent death because of the shock, Lux fell under the impression that Philuffy had died He abandoned the revolution plan to go taking revenge

But, in reality right after that Sacred Eclipse poured life force into Philuffy by injecting Elixir into her Thanks to that she was resurrected a few days later

Five years ago Fugil and Ouroboros rewound Lux's memory of that time His memory was falsified, but the fact remained that Philuffy received Baptis Baptism, one's resistance toward Avalon's perception len told hidrasil that was planted inside her hearther too

「……I see It wasn't, an illusion」

Philuffystock still like that

「Phi-chan, about this parade, how far do you know?」

Lux's vague questionshe h to confir is happening……that's all I know Also how in that battle, we lost」

Philuffy whispered that and stared outside the ith a faraway look

It also looked like she was re the incident where she was kidnapped and Lux ailing beside her body

「Phi-chan Is your body alright? Do you feel bad anywhere──」

Lux orried for her health because she was receiving the effect of Baptishtly and smiled

「I' on」

「After all, I auard」

Lux lost his words at her consideration to hi of how Lux knew the reality behind this abnor to act

Lux hesitated to involve her in this, but Philuffy had seen through even that hesitation of his

「Geez, what are you doing there Nii-san? Please come out of the inn quickly」

Lux replied to Airi's voice that caht away, then he briefly made a promise with Philuffy to meet later

After that, he participated in the dinner party of the parade's first day along with the Academy's students

–

Part 2

「My, Philuffy? What's the matter?」

Several hours after the party started in the bar that they reserved, Relie saw Philuffy as starting to doze off and she raised her voice

As expected, Lux had gotten the hang of it after already going through the same party two times before

Lux skillfully handled the Triad and other fe towhileto their request for a while, it was then he suddenly turned his gaze at the corner of the party There Philuffy's body aying back and forth looking like she was drunk

「……I don't, feel good Want to puke」

When Philuffy powerlessly gasped that, Relie quickly stood fro

「You okay Phi!? Someone, call a doctor! Quick!」

「No, I don't think it's that serious……」

Lux was exasperated at the headh she herself was severely drunk until now

He was extre to her little sister as usual

But in reality, Philuffy wasn't drunk

Philuffy herself was a type of person as reasonably strong in drinking And this ti to drink

In short it was an act that Lux asked her to do in order to slip out from this party, so it was also within his expectation that Relie would react like this here

「Relie-san I'll look after her so please wait here I'll also wait on her for a while」

「I, is that so? If Lux-kun will look after Phi then it's conveni──no, please take care of her!」

Relie was already letting her true intentions leaking out unabashedly Lux responded with a complicated smile, then he lent his shoulder to Philuffy and they headed outside the reserved bar

There was no student co Airi and the Triad

They understood that Relie too would be quiet if Lux was leading Philuffy away

Lux had also roughly kept everyone company already, so there was no probleone

He asked Yoruka to keep watch at the surrounding of the bar

In other words, currently hi plan was progressing swily without a hitch

「Phi-chan I'll keep you coht Thanks」

Just in case, Lux kept lending his shoulder to Philuffy until there was no sign of other people around whileher voluptuous breast was naturally touching Lux's body Lux's heart was beating hard inside

After going to the washroom, they headed toward theaway the drunkenness

At the afternoon the at with enthusiasht the cold air of January seeped into the skin

The three days period of this looping parade

Within the loneliness of being unable to shareindescribable war on his side

She was like that to Lux since the past

She was one his few close friends who knew hi an emotion of affection to her that was similar for a fa toward his little sister Airi

For Lux at the period of the old empire where he was isolated, she was like a sunny spot, the only place where he could feel at ease

While walking through theshop and passerby was getting sparse, Lux suddenly returned to his senses and questioned Philuffy in a hurry

「Phi-chan Since when you noticed about this parade?」

「Just a bit ago…… I didn't remember at the second time Same like Lu-chan」

It seemed that Philuffy too didn't notice the loop at the first loop where Waybra was killed and the second loop where Sieg Kreutzer waswas out of place seeing Lux who acted strange so of the perception manipulation with that as the impetus

「Lu-chan, ill you do?」

「Hate who and ill they do at the third day of this parade……」

Who was using Avalon and as their objective for killing other people by generating this loop?

After knowing their objective, he had to stop them no matter what

「Do you re the parade? Did he do anything suspicious at the second and third parade? Like is there any strange event or──」

Philuffy shook her head a bit toward Lux's question

「I saw his face at the party, but there was nothing strange」

「Then, we have to investigate from the people around him huh」

There was no doubt that so this loop

His first suspect was Prime Minister Nulph and the people close to hi in the castle, so they would have to sneak into the castle and search for him in order to directly question him

They would be able to meet him at the second day and the last day's banquet, but there were several things that had to be investigated before that

The possibility was high that it was Pri him, but he wouldn't be able to expect any result even if he sneaked into the castle in this situation

(Wait? In the first place why is this kind of loop occurring? Why is it necessary to repeat ittoward the castle with Philuffy while he suddenly got caught in a doubt

Five years ago, in order to guide the future to the old eil eli the revolution

This loop, was it being done in order to deter Waybra that could shake the new kingdoil used Ouroboro, it was a really pressing situation)

The first time, Lux fell into despair because of Philuffy's apparent death and he almost abandoned the e

Both loops were carried out in order to avoid fatal risk that could turn the revolution into failure by rewinding everyone'sthat Waybra and Sieg possessed was an infordom──there was no doubt that most likely it was a cause that orthy of world revision

Their subordinates should be murdered by the Automatas at the second loop, but there should be several people who survived

No……in this case perhaps it should be said that they were let go

The possibility was high that thethis third loop to sdo

(Wait? The ht now in this loop?)

Lux went to ask someone in order to ascertain that first

–

Part 3

「It's unexpected for you to visit this late at night I will refuse such visitor if it's not you What happened?」

The place Lux visited was a roo

It was a rooreat nobles was staying at Lux intended to keep his visit here a secret

He was the one who told Lux about Waybra, Sieg Kreutzer, and also the old empire faction just the day before the three days loop started Currently he was the only clue Lux had to search their whereabouts

「It doesn't look like this is about hter, in that case is this a talk of politic? There will be ru Let's keep this short」

Dist told Lux like that while sitting on the sofa inside the reception roo Philuffy who caether with Lux

He didn't think that Lux would talk about his relationshi+p with his daughter while his childhood friend was acco hi table placed between the the case that Lord Dist told about at the other day, do you know about what Waybra and Sieg Kreutze was doing during the parade today?」

Dist frowned sternly and he fell silent hearing Lux's blunt question

It was only natural Because it was a strange question

He was unable toand intention of Lux's question

Thissuch reaction and expression

「This isn't so to talk about at this kind of place The reason e talked in an underground bar yesterday, I believe if it's you then you will understand it but──」

The great noble Dist and Lux as currently a hero of the new kingdo to steal the power fro such thing in this govern of the royal capital, but Philuffy silently raised her face and ht Currently, there is no one in the surrounding From the smell and sound, I know」

Si the presence of other people, Philuffy also had her physical ability enhanced due to the Ragnarok implanted in her The sharpness of her five senses couldn't be co that to Dist and guaranteed the security, Lux asked his question once ize for the rudeness But, this is iive me the answer?」

When Lux bowed his head while still sitting Dist sighed slightly and nodded

He called for a servant and asked her to bring the once more

「Raise your face It looks like there is a pressing situation I will cooperate with you depending on the reason why you ask」

「Thank you very much」

Lux lowered his head once more and then he slowly raised his face

And then, he asked once

Dist hi to approach the old e during the parade

Regarding Sieg Kreutzer, he was doing the sa with his private soldiers Right noas resting in another govern Kreutzer hadn't died and was still acco his role in parade's security

But, in reality, Sieg should have been killed already, so at present the building he was staying at should be empty

「Then, can you please teach ?」

However, Sieg had several surviving subordinates

Lux didn't knohether they were private soldiers that were foristered or hiredat the loop this tihly probable that at the second loop the Auto's subordinate to escape so that at the loop this ti to follow after theotiate with the old empire faction? Your current status is really coet near the was reasonable, but Lux didn't back down

「I have no intention of getting involved with the that I have to ascertain nothis country, no──this world」

「I see……」

Disttoward the table and took out a map He pointed at a spot in it

Lux said his thanks before hethe door

「Is it alright if you don't ask about the otherfor my cooperation──」

That was the talk that Lux heard the day before the parade started

There was so to replace Queen Raffi as the ruler of the new kingdo for his help but──

「It's alright If it's about that person then I already know」

Lux intentionally didn't say it out loud, but he knew that it was Priether with Fugil using the power of Avalon to create this loop, then he couldn'tto Philuffy, it didn't seem like there was the presence of Auto Celis's father into even er than this

In Lux's memory, Prime Minister Nulph was a noble of the former anti old empire faction He was a direct subordinate of Count Atis the governreat contribution as Queen Raffi' aide until now

There was no doubt that he was the only person orthy for Dist to reco candidate

Therefore, the possibility was extre to stop the sche Lux was also on alert about that possibility

Lux said his thanks to Dist and left the govern with Philuffy

And then they put on the hood of their overcoat to shadow their face and headed toward the other governaze

「Phi-chan Is there any strange presence?」

「Wait a bit, et used to it soon」

Philuffy's excellent eyesight seeht's darkness

Currently, it didn't see was staying but──

「Hoe enter…… There are guards……」

It see's private soldiers but the guards of the new kingdom

In other words they couldn't nor close? The wall, it looks climbable」

「Eh?」

Philuffy said that with a serious face while he ondering what to do

The building's as h and uneven surface, but it was too reckless for huht he , so just this 」

「Wai-, Phi-chan!?」

Without even any ti, juround

A e of the rooftop to how that it was okay

(No, it's i-Ride……)

When Lux conveyed that using hand gesture, it see was conveyed and Philuffy drew back into the building for a moment

After that when she showed herself on the rooftop once more, she lowered down a rope that she seemed to find souard on the rooftop, there was a stair that continued into inside the building

「We can enter from here?」

「See froh」

Was it just as he expected, that Sieg's subordinates were already annihilated?

The space of the building was comparable to more than ten houses It was really spacious

It 's force but──

Lux walked down the stair while thinking that and explored the building that was made from stone

But──

「……There is no one? But with how there are guards around the building, it should look like Sieg's force is staying here」

「Lu-chan There is, rain's smell」

Philuffy looked up to the sky and whispered that the moment they came out into an open corridor that faced the courtyard

Rain──

If he reht, there was no rain at the first and second parade

Just as he thought The loop was only a reset of people's perception, while the ti normally without a doubt

If the rain this tiht be no probleer scale

「……Let' search the rear entrance If the Drag-Ride that is recording the secret inforht coht be, froe」

「……I see!」

The private soldier possessing the video recording was using special equipment type Drake, so it didn't need to come fro as there was a space that a Drag-Ride could use to sneak in, so the route's possibility was the rooftop, rear entrance, and the courtyard

「Perhaps, it ht Phi-chan, please take care of the rear entrance I'll try searching the courtyard ──Be careful」

Philuffy nodded shortly, then the split up Lux started walking inside the building

While he headed toward the courtyard in a straight line, he sensed a presence and stopped

「──Tsu!?」

He almost leaked out his voice, but he closed his ht hand

In the courtyard, there was a girl facing a Drake that had dispelled its cadom's military uniform──Sania Remist

(How!? Why is she here?)

Hayes's three direct subordinates in Heiburg──Cerberos

She was the leader of that and she once infiltrated into the new kingdo to steal the Grand Force, in the attack against the new kingdoht Celis and lost Then she should be ido Republic, they made excuse that what Cerberos did was done under Hayes's arbitrary decision and abandoned her This girl who already didn't even have any place to belong was──

「Lord Sieg How is it? The recording's confirmation──」

「Hm? Ah, never mind More importantly, so you are my last subordinate?」

「Yes! For so point There should be a lot more but they are nowhere to──」

TheDrake called Sania as Lord Sieg

(Why? Why is he calling her Sieg?)

Lux was puzzled for a few seconds before he noticed

This world was already a fictive world Everyone other than the Lux and Philuffy were captured by the perception created by thethe existence of Magialka, Singlen, and Aeril before

That private soldier too, in other words──he was under the influence of the perception manipulation that

(But, what's the point of doing this? Is Sania herself also ? Or perhaps she is ordered by so even while Lux was pondering that

「I see, so you didn't meet anyone else Then you are the last huh The nuuys before you said I'll take the recording you have Come」

「Yes-!」

The man dispelled the Drake armor he wore and followed behind Sania

They walked on the wide corridor Lux also followed the his presence

And then when they opened the door to the office that was at the deepest part of the building, a strange sight entered his eyes

「Lord Sieg? Is there anything that you wish to talk about?」

A sea of blood spread behind the door

The corpses of several people that already had their head reaped dyed the gorgeous red carpet of the office dark

Amidst the thick smell of death, the soldier who entered into the rooe in expression

Even for Lux atching froht

「There is nothing to talk about Thank you for your work until now」

Sieg Kreutzer……not, Sania who pretended to be him casually lifted the Drake's Sword Device that he received froht after that the man's head fell on the carpet

「You see, I am a trap」

Sania looked down to the head of theon the floor and muttered to no one in particular

In the day of the parade, Sieg's subordinates cae recording

Perhaps Sania beca perceptionfor the private soldier to elile one of the with? Who in the world theout Sania as idom

It was impossible even for the consuls if they only had ordinary position

It had to be the prison director, or perhaps someone even more above──

「However, to think that you co yourself into danger like always」

Lux was shocked that a voice suddenly came from behind

Lux instantly leaped toward the corridor and rolled on the ground Right after that a Sword Device that the nid!?」

A red hairedfront hair

He was a member of Cerberos just like Sania He should be similarly imprisoned

「Hee, how kind of you to reht's obligation?」

「For you to be able to perceive our true identity, it see on you」

Sania as inside the office turned his way and muttered, then he tossed away the Sword Device in her hand to the floor

And then she pulled out a neord Device from her sheath and pointed it toward Lux

「Kuh……!」

There was no roo-Ride into this craht as well as hand to hand combat would be more effective here

Lux had also accue aht, his strength in hand-to-hand combat was decisively inferior

He couldn't possiblyas spy fro Republic

(But, I cannot escape fro them──)

Lux also pulled out his Sword Device in respond and took his stance

Just now Sania called herself a trap

That trap was double layered

Most likely in this third loop Sania acted as Sieg Kreutzer's replace fro in hiding in order to search for people who escaped from the perception curse like Lux

(The enemy mastermind also predicted the existence like us who noticed the world revision and try to investigate!?)

That possibility was definitely high

If Lux was in the enemy's position, there was no way he could allow someone who noticed this loop and fake reality to live

「Why are you two here!? How did you escape from the prison!?」

Lux made his words into weapon to hold back the ene to extract information from them

But, what canid

The attack went through shortest route with fastest speed The Sword Devices's tips approached Lux's sides

Sania charged in Lux's gap of consciousness that resulted from his atteed by twisting his body, but Ignid pressed on by slashi+ng at him

──'Fast!'

He barely deflected the tip, but pain pierced his upper arth that couldn't be explained just by being good in hand-to-hand coth, what in the world……!?」

「──You have a good instinct huh, hero-san?」

Ignid's eyes were tinged with ht Geometrically patterned tattoo surfaced on his cheek

And then he tossed away his Sword Device and tacked Lux into the office

Lux was pushed down face up on the floor in the h he was crucified

Physically Ignid was soher than Lux He held Lux down and he couldn't even twitch

Sania quickly took away the Sword Device from Lux's hand

With that thecloser, si on Sania's cheek too It looked similar with Soffice's tattoo but──it felt different somehow

「We are forbidden to kill you ──You narrowly escaped death」

「What do youhere is already predicted by your ed and reeled a rope to bind Lux

「We receive order to get rid of anyone who come here and notice the truth You are saved because it will be troubling if you are killed here」

Sania and Ignid

Their words were abstract, but it supported Lux's inference until now

If sodom took them out from the prison, as expected it matched with the mastermind's expectation

The imperial princess of the Lords, Listelka once atteon Paladins by

In other words, the shrine maiden of oracle Listelka knew