Volume 16 Chapter 3 (1/2)

Episode 3 - The False, Truth Part 1

「Geez, where did you go last night Nii-san? Furtherhtlife Today it will be a scolding for you」

「Sorry I drank too ot a headache, so please don't be too hard on me」

「No Lux-san I heard that when male caused a problem related to female, the wound will be shallower if you honestly confess you know?」

The second day of the third parade

Lux was greatly troubled fro froaze on when the sun had only coated the building where Sieg Kreutzer was staying and splendidly obtained a clue to approach the truth, but fro, it could be said to be only natural for theht he slipped out in the middle of the party with Philuffy, furthermore he returned at different ti

But, there was no way he could tell the truth to Airi and Noct

At present it was only Philuffy as liberated fro these two too into the deep affair of the new kingdo you two that's not it While I was strolling by ot sleepy──」

「……Noct, what do you think?」

「Yes, I think it sounds like a lie I can iine three other possible cases」

Noct raised three of her fingers with her usual composed expression

(Why are they this ot into a dating relationshi+p with Philuffy-san Like that they went to flirt together, but they will get jeered if they go back together, so they pretend to go back in different time」

「Is that correct Nii-san!?」

「No, that's why I said that's not it……」

Lux pacified his little sister as pressing the question on hi the first attack

「From Lux-san's personality, this isn't the reaction e hit the bull's eye Then, the second possibility」

「You are still continuing, ……this?」

Lux retorted to Noct as dispassionatelyher chin

「Lux-san got into a nice atmosphere with Philuffy-san, but a hindrance appeared before they could progress further Perhaps itlike a chance encounter with Krulcifer-san for example」

Twitch, Lux felt his innards went cold inside

After all it was a definite fact that he borrowed Krulcifer-san's cooperation to investigate Priht he also encountered her again and he also became lover with her──

「Soht」

「No, well」

「Next, let's see The third possibility, is a bit unclear forwith Celis-senpai e expected to meet at the party today」

「Say, you don't need to force yourself to think up the third possibility」

More than tenof the two and departed outside the inn after telling them that he had a business

In reality, the third possibility that Noct raised about was incidentally correct about today

The clue that he obtained last night, the Sword Device of Drake that Sieg Kreutzer's carried It couldn't be summoned by Lux who didn't have certified contract with it

Therefore, as soon as possible──

Before the party at the evening that invited the noble visitors from every country started, he had to search the location of the Drake, perfore recording

The recording contained the fact that do, he would be able to greatly draw near toward the true identity of thehe planned to look around each of the territory of Prime Minister Nulph that he oithin the royal capital

By the tiotiate with three people for their cooperation

First──it was the older girl who he loved and respected, Celistia

Part 2

8 o'clock in the overnrus fa

On the surface, his reason to be here was to give a greeting before theyin the building welcomed him in surprise

「Lu, Lux!? What's theDo you have any business with──?」

「No, I wish to talk with Lord Dist for a bit」

「I, is that so……」

Celis's expression that broke into a sely dejected

He felt pain in his heart when he recalled that they had becoht noasn't the time for romance

Somehow, he had to obtain the proof of the ar where the Drake of this Sword Device was stored, and confirardless of his i, Lord Dist welcomed him into the reception room pleasantly

His stern expression looked like he had already guessed so happened in a place that is outsidein the sa, it was possible to also have her to attend in this talk, but Lux intentionally refrained fro on ould happen after this, it ht becoht now he involved Celis as unable to perceive the loop of this parade

「Yes There is so that I wish Lord Dist to teach e」

Lux wanted to ask him about the villa or other related place in this royal capital that were owned by Sieg Kreutzer as his fellow four great nobles Because the possibility was high that this Drake was sleeping in those places

──But, Dist's reply wasn't refusal, but a question

「This isn't like you Why is soht like you is this hurried?」

Lord DistLux's request

It couldn't be helped that he was reluctant to talk

Lux decided to immediately cut to the heart of thethat I picked up last night froht as a private soldier of Sieg Kreutzer」

「In that case, you can just ask the person himself when he showed himself in today or tomorrow's party ──That doesn't see to o of this chance, I er to the new kingdo」

Theparade

Lux desperately pleaded without touching that fact

Lux hi unreasonable

After all what he was doing was like asking Dist to lend hi with a suspicion toward Pri any definite proof

In the first place in the perception of the people fro Kreutzer was still alive

Naturally Dist as a fellow four great nobles wouldn't consent to his request

If he leaked this request of Lux to the opponent, there was even the risk of war breaking out

「──Just between you andby her otiation regarding Avalon begin for real, her majesty wish to finish the contract」

「……Eh?」

Lux was bewildered that the talk was shi+fted to an unexpected direction

It was a contract for the four great nobles to lend their top class Drag-Knights under the direct control of the queen for several years

Inevitably the Drag-Knights that were the retainers of the four great nobles would also be included in that It seedom's military power that eakened

Naturally this was the first time Lux heard about it because this was a vital political matter

If it was Lisha then perhaps she knew about it but──

(This is so since before the parade started?)

「But, as a great feudal lord, we can't agree to so like a contract that halved our force for free We have to ask for a suitable codo-Ride, is that right?」

Dist nodded silently

「The original proposer was Priua, and then Kreutzer fa stance of this proposal It will be only if in the negotiation with other countries ten days froh──」

The seven Auto behind the scenes of the looping parade

If Prime Minister Nulph was the master advantageous result fro out resources secretly without problem

「The consuls of the old edo are wishi+ng for the negotiation's failure With that they would be able to claidom as expected and use every method to take her down fro Queen Raffi, surely he would try to crush thatfaction

In other words, at the present preliminary step before the parade was over and people left the royal capital, and the negotiation with other countries to distribute Avalon's resource and technology started──

「Why are you telling me this?」

「You were a prince, but you didn't have the experience of beco a ruler Typically a ruler will try to nip the enemy force in the bud That is the inevitable in every era and situation」

'However', Dist added while reached out to a nearby drawer

「That doesn't necessarilyto do Especially the way of doing thing that doesn't care of theto a dictatorial system」

Just like how the old empire was like that in the past

Lux felt like he was told such thing

Dist took out a small box from the locked drawer and put it on the table, then he stood up from the reception roo hi into a reference rooht? The resolve to step into the realo I cannot cooperate with you」

「Lord Dist……」

When Dist entered into the reference roo

Lux was left alone inside the reception room

He intentionally put a small box in front of him and then left his seat The current Lux wasn't so slow that he didn't understand Dist's intention

Personally, as a four great nobles and in order to fulfill his duty to Nulph, he was unable to sell him out

But, as sodo, he left behind a clue for Lux

In other words, froot involved it would be at his own risk

No matter ould happen, it would be an action that Lux caused by his own decision

Lux asked for awith Lord Dist to consult hiuard down Lux secretly took a pick at the infor hi to act

「──Thank you, very much」

He erased the indecision that was born in his chest and opened the box

If he was going to stop here, then fro was staying

Inside the s the territory the four great nobles possessed

After Lux found the location of Sieg's villa, he wrote it in a

It was only past 8 o'clock in thethat he had to welcome the noble visitors of other countries in the castle at afternoon

Besides unlike late at night, if he piloted Drag-Ride in the middle of day someone would witness it

In that case, rather than Philuffy, it th here

「──Yoruka Is it alright right now?」

「Yes At present there is no strange presence at the surrounding」

After taking so, Lux called Yoruka's na place

Kirihime Yoruka

She herself was still under the curse of the world revision, but he asked her to follow him until this far

If it ith special equip-Ride Yato no Kami that Yoruka possessed, it was possible to act even in the e function

He asked her to stand on guard against the surrounding while heading toward the private property of Sieg in the capital

Lux's aied by Sieg's subordinate

Originally it wasn't a Drag-Ride hangar, but there was case when Drag-Rides were placed there in few nuht that it was ideal to hide his private soldier's Drag-Ride

Yoruka distracted the guards and leaped to enter inside while still carrying Lux under Yato no Kaet a fewinside the eht

Inside where countless containers were placed, he found several Drakes

「There is no mistake The Drake of that Sword Device is this one, Aruji-sama」

「……Yes」

Lux nodded at the words of Yoruka whoradar

In a state of the Drag-Ride existing in a certain distance, the contract would be dissolved when it confirmed that its owner died

Thus, Lux tried to contract with it and restarted it

He i function of the special equipasped seeing the played scene

The details of the incident that was grasped by the old empire faction

「There is, no other way, then to ask directly……」

Lux formed a plan in order to expose the full picture of this fictive world

Part 3

「Fuu……」

Lux finished his task in the royal castle and sighed in a stone corridor

At noon of the parade's second day Lux headed to the royal castle just like the two previous loops and greeted the noble visitors fro the Seven Dragon Paladins

As expected, Aeril, Magialka, and Singlen weren't present

The other people acted like they were there, but Lux's eyes couldn't perceive their existence

In other words, they were died or captured somewhere

There were such possibilities, butthat perhaps Aeril was still alive, although that conjecture also included his wishful thinking

(……Right now I' near to the truth)

The mastermind controlled Avalon and eliminated all the opponents ere inconvenient for themselves He would thrust the proof before the on the situation, he il

(Can I win? With il──)

The strongest Drag-Knight who faced the whole on Paladins except Lux and won

Was a way to defeat thatabsentminded there?」

At the corridor in the first floor of the castle, while he was sitting on a sofa there, a familiar blonde side tail fluttered

The princess who eht, Lizsharte was in front of him when he noticed

「Ahaha I'」

「You troubling guy, getting tired from just this much Do you realize now the routine hardshi+p of a princess likeher ar

Lux also lured by that and smiled wryly, but in actuality he was beaten up because there was tooparade and the false reality

How much was true and as alive

What if the mastermind who seemed to be the main cause was an iot forced to fight such existence, ould happen to the new kingdoil and Sacred Eclipse──in the end what kind of shape and involve was coed the old e Lux's mind

And then, if he exposed the evil deed of the ht be treated as traitor and even Airi and everyone in Syvalles ht of the new kingdom like me to make such decision……)

「……Lux Oi Lux!」

「Tsu……!? Yes!」

Lux returned to his senses from Lisha's voice and he replied in a hurry

Lisha was entangling the fingers of both her hands with each other looking soestion to him

「There is still a bit more time until the party start…… Do you want to stroll inside the castle with , I want to talk with you……for a bit」

「──I understand Please allow otiation with the mastermind would be after the party ended, so he had soht now

Lisha's expression turned bright when he replied like that after hesitating slightly

The short time before the battle that wouldn't be known by anyone Lux decided to spend it with the princess Lisha

Part 4

First floor inside the castle──, the great dining hall

Lisha first guided Lux to that place where countless long tables were lined up

「Oi cook Prepare so to be a portion for ht after all」

「Yes yes I get it, Lishsaed woentle impression

Lisha's tone with her was really casual, Lux wondered if she had gotten along ith the people inside the castle without hi In the era of the old empire, just because she is a woman she was only allowed to do the servant work, but five years ago she was hired here because of her cooking skill」

「Is that so?」

Lux only heard the explanation from Lisha casually and a sweets was placed in front of hi off the aroma of butter, it was filled with custard cream and candied apple slice inside

Beside it there hipped crea the extract fro the dish

「How is it Lux, the taste?」

「……!? It's delicious! Very h crumbled with crispy texture inside his mouth each ti of happiness that filled the heart

Lux too was someone with refined palate, but this sweets was an equal match with the sweets that Philuffy made

「The princess was really noisy in these teeks Because Lux-dono was really a great help for her in Cross Field, she high-spiritedly said that this tiive you a tour inside the castle This sweets too is so that she had consulted o」

Lisha's cheeks burned red the instant the female cook said that

「DAaAAH! I told you not to tell hiht!? This is an abuse of confidentiality!」

「Oops, is that so Really sorry, princess」

The face of the woh was cheerful

「Thank you very ed woman said that intentionally

Thanks to that he realized Lisha's consideration for hiot my wallet at our first date Even I want to at least show youyou, that's all」

Lisha felt happy at Lux's thanks while pretending that it wasn't a big deal Lux s the supreme snack, the tension of his tensed nerves relaxed

「The, then, we are going to walk around inside the castle to help with digesting the food too There is still two hours until the party!」

「……Yes Please take care ofwith Lisha's tour still

Because he wanted to look at the situation inside the castle──especially the situation of Pri on

「Yosh, next is the banquet hall, let's go!」

Next, Lisha showed him around the first floor further

The banquet hall with its luxurious decoration

The barn and chapel inside the castle ground

Places like the beautiful courtyard that ell tended, even Lux knew them from the era of the old empire

At that ti the castle, but he was relatively familiar with the area around here

「Oo, princess You are in a goodyou」

「You were nificent in the parade Please support herto here and there, the servants and guards working inside the castle were greeting Lux and Lisha with a smile

Lux casually compared his perception with Lisha, but it seemed that the number of people inside the castle wasn't particularly decreasing

Currently there was no human that Lux couldn't see but could be seen by Lisha as under the perception curse from the world revision

In other words, the user of Avalon wasn't indiscrieted existence that had the possibility of threatening the It wouldn't be wrong to consider it like that

And also how Fugil and Avalon's Auto their assistance to the le question surfaced

(Even though Aeril isn't here, she was enrolling into the Academy since before the parade, what does that mean?)

It wasn't like he couldn't understand it as a setting that the mastermind wished for

Because in order to sdom's enemy at the parade, it was necessary that on the surface they did their best to decrease any complication with other country and made the domestic political situation one where it was easy to ht be possible that they were siht nohile they were alive soht hope

Or rather it was in a level that was nothing ht be possible

──When such thinking was crossing his htly tapped

「Oi Lux Are you that bored? Then how about I brought you to the nap roo Lux was stared fixedly by Lisha as puffing up her cheeks

「N, no, that's not it…… For so about the old es also happened in your past huh」

Lisha's expression changed into a deeply emotional one

In contrast with the usual Lisha as lively and full of confidence, now she looked transient with a trace of gloo a dream…… The dreao happened」

「The time, of the revolution?」

For awhether Lisha too had noticed the world revision

But, that wasn't it

「In the past, do you remember when I talked about ure coht now」

Like that for a little while Lisha told Lux about her little sister reirl but possessed a strong heart

She was really attached both to her father Count Atisirl who possessed awareness and pride as noble strongly

This was the second ti about that little sister

But, Lux also still remembered when she talked about it for the first time

If he remembered correctly, it seemed her whereabouts became unknown at the confusion of the revolution

In reality she was thought to be dead

When Count Atismata was killed with even his residence and hideout attacked, the soldiers of the old eive ht now I betrayed father to keep my own life, on top of that I ascended to the seat of the princess of the new kingdom, the likes of ret, sadness, and anxiety Her body was tre that Lux reflexively embraced Lisha's body

「Lu, x……?」

Her face that had the trace of childishness re in it was shocked

Her crimson eye opened wide in surprise and blush colored her cheeks

「It's fine I swear I'll protect you Lishsama」

「Ah, uh……」

The lovable princess shyly averted her gaze, however, she put her strength into her ared him back

Some kind of emotion welled up from the bottom of his body, but the next moment, bump a sound echoed from the corridor

Lux and Lisha who returned to their senses in surprise separated fro

That was dangerous

Unthinkingly they were al impulsively if they stayed like that

But, it seeination in the end

(No but, a faint presence was──)

Even though Lux tilted his head in puzzle

「Cheh…… The, then, let's go to the next place already」

Seeing Lisha puffing up her cheeks in dissatisfaction, Lux also s-Ride hangar as the last place Lisha showed him around

「Oo, isn't this the princess Welco-Rides' ive it a test run? Or perhaps adjustar's workshop, froreat nuineers called out to her

Fro her activity in these teeks

In respond Lisha waved her hand looking so Lux to look around

「It's better to not use that weapon with Drake The output will drop and the precious abilities of special equipment type will be hard to use Ah, it's the reverse with that one Thickening the ar that Lisha seemed to be mistaken somehow in how to act as the princess of a country, but his face broke into a s the scene that was really like Lisha

「Wha, what are you grinning at!? Is it that strange seeing uys asked me to teach them」

Lisha ht that this wasn't really norhtly and s Lishsanized by the people of the castle」

In that instant her face blushed red as though she was boiling up

「……That's, it's It's because I showed my face here and there」

After paralyzed for a while, Lisha started speaking with a small voice

「These teeks, I showedout What is everyone thinking about the new kingdoht that first I have to try listening from the nearby people」

Lisha spoke brusquely like that, but Lux was deeply moved in his heart

Lisha who harbored dissatisfaction to her own status was trying to come into contact with the people inside the castle as a princess It left a deep ioing that far while being away fro, in the first place it was because of your fault」

「Yes?」

Lisha aze with a troubled look Lux tilted his head in puzzleo, even with your status as cried as chore prince, you faced everyone and becaot close with anyone anywhere isn't it?」

Lux was taken aback by those words and held his breath

It wasn't because of Lisha's act, Lux noticed the reason why she was starting to do soht I followed your exa out from my own initiative Nomy eyes from myself forever The battle has also cal with people in the castle and learn to get involved with the national politic」

Mysteriously Lux couldn't hastly incident of world revision that was in his s and he looked stupefied in a daze

Lux was unable to i deeply e Even though it look like this, even I anoredquite flustered

Lux ihtly

「Wai-!? Wha, what's wrong Lux!?」

「No──I'ht words」

That was Lux's true feeling

Lisha as unable to accustodo for the way to live as a princess in her oay

She wasLux's way of life as a model to be her clue in her effort

In other words, she atching Lux's way of life in this one year and respected it more than anyone

In the era of the old enized his way of life

He was the seventh prince as the farthest frorandson of the educator who remonstrated the emperor, no matter what he proclaimed it wouldn't have any effect

But, this lovable and proud girl in front of him didn't only treasure her own subordinate, she was also trying to learn fro that Lux wished for but unable to becoht noas nothinglike this then it would surely bloom into a beautiful flower

「Thank you so much, Lishsama」

「Wha, what's with you so suddenly It's just so that I did forme──」

Lisha's vividly cri that couldn't be turned into words filled her chest, it was then──

「Hyuu hyuu! You two there, how passionate!」

「Oh ho, isn't it still too early for the uys! It's finally the good scene you know!? I' that didn't suit a splendid princess in reaction to the engineers' jeering

Lured by that Lux sether with her

「Haa…… Those guys are really troublesoe Or rather, I'm the princess you know!?」

「That's just how close they have becoineers casually exchanging words with royalty would be impossible in the era of the old empire

In short that was just how close Lisha ith theardless of the praise, this sh it finally becaood atmosphere……, well fine It will be the tiht In the end I'm unable to ht? Recently it looks like she is really tired──」

Lux who knew about Queen Raffi's safety intentionally said that because Lisha didn't notice the loop due to the world revision, so he matched his story with that premise

Actually, at the last day of the first loop Raffi looked bright, but he was concerned

However very unexpectedly the expression of Lisha who heard his question turned bright

「No worry Lux Her etic now, after all ill support her from now on too」

Lisha clenched her small fist and spoke confidently

「That, can you keep this quiet? It's about Hahue, you see──」

They headed to the end of an e

It seemed it was a talk that she didn't want other people to hear

「During these teeks, I asked Hahue to tell me About the chauvinism tendency at the old eh very hard experience since her childhood……」

A dark shadow suddenly loo that

In contrast to her father the great man Count Atismata, Queen Raffi had a hard time in her childhood

Unlike her capable and noble elder brother, because she was a wo She was ht of within the estate

And then, one day she contracted a serious disease that caused her to receive the verdict that her body was unable to bear a child already in her young age

「Such──thing」

Lux's expression becaic story

Lux who knew in detail about the tendency of the nobles at that era understood the even harsher hell that aiting for Raffi in addition of her pain fro a part of her function as a wo that woman was basically treated with contempt at the era of the old enized value, which was as a tool of political e

Salvation would finally co birth to the eldest son ould beco unable to give birth to a boy was already enough for the label of useless to be branded on a woive birth to a child It wasn't difficult to iiven then

She surely beca rebuked fro, that even alive her existence had no worth

The parents of the distinguished family as close with her family at that time naturally heard about her condition They one-sidedly annulled her engagement

Since then, Queen Raffi lost all hope and spent a life like a half-dead person

After that, she met a new lover who accepted such her and she devoted her everything to him, but that person actually had a different objective and only tricked her

Lux who heard that couldn't make any sound

Queen Raffi was respected as the little sister of the great man Count Atismata who accomplished the revolution, but he didn't know that she had such a harsh life

The era and the ideology

By birth she was dropped into an environment that she couldn't overturn by her oill She lived in a ood opportunity careater than Lux and Lisha

「I felt e a princess just froe by the enemy for a few months」

Lisha suddenly made a serious expression and lowered her eyebrows sorrowfully

「Coh…… She pushed down her own suffering, even so she thought of the new kingdom and endured for the sake of the people It's the saainst the Abyss and the Lords ……That's why!」

Saying that Lisha strongly clenched her fist and lifted it in front of Lux

「Let's help her together Lux Let us both becoth That person too I happy with the current ive birth to a child, she would want a child like me」

Lisha muttered that with a quite embarrassed look

Lisha who lost her ot abandoned by her father, and Queen Raffi as unable to give birth to a child in the first place

Surely the two of the the pain of their past with each other

Believing that was exactly as necessary to prop up the new kingdoth without fail, Lishsahtened his hold

Zeal and spirit that was unthinkable froh her hand's temperature

「Ah, come to think of it Prio of her hand and suddenly recalled so He casually spoke it out

「Hm? Do you have a business with thatin the party just as planned though──」

「……No, nothing particular」

Lux shout Lisha's tour of the castle, when they passed Prime Minister Nulph by, both Lux and Lisha were able to see him normally

Therefore at present it appeared that he didn't notice his trap──, Sania and Ignid ere manipulated by the parasite type Abyss had been crushed by Lux

And then, he also didn't see any Autoht, perhaps I shouldn't investigate until the party is over……)

In case that the ht, he didn't kno they would move So he could only do that

「Lux What are you doing? The party is starting already」

「……Yes, Lishsa and slowly headed toward the reception hall

On the other hand, two people were silently conversing in the darkness of a hidden path inside the castle

Part 5

Inside the castle of the new kingdom

There was a hidden roo there didn't know about

It was created at the era of the old e used as escape route, place for secret talk, and also for other things like imprisonment or torture

This place where even people to maintain it didn't exist anymore was known by that person by accident

「Then, someone who notice the world revision appear as expected?」

One of the two people there

A lint that was like a beast, Fugil responded to the question of his rasp their existence At the present tiht of counterattack arrived to you who is chosen by Sacred Eclipse Avalon's power of creation──it's your freedom to decide how you will use it」

「Till the end I will give only a little help for that By noyou my full cooperation I will not be responsible of your deed and everything that resulted froil told that toward his master in front of him with a firm tone

In respond the silhouette hesitated only for a bit before they e it as planned Everything is by your will」

Fugil told that toward his new master and bowed courteously

And then the hands of the clock started

Part 6

「At this occasion all of you have done adreat war for our side If any single one fro, surely ouldn't be able to grasp the future Let's begin theof Queen Raffi, Prian

The representatives and Seven Dragon Paladins from each country should be coialka, and Singlen weren't here

Also, even Lux at his present state was able to perceive Prime Minister Nulph

That meant that he was alive at the present without a doubt

And then the other people except Lux and Philuffy seemed to perceive that everyone was present without anyonea certain hypothesis

(This situation──the curse of perception by Ouroboros, hoill it work from here on?)

Aeril once similarly made use of a portion of Ruin's power to manipulate perception so she could become Coral

However Aeril was able to do that because she was connected to Ruin due to Baptism and she continued to use that power

Furthermore even with that power Aeril had to be personally present in place to act her part From there it could be assumed that it was a weak power of perception manipulation

In contrast Ouroboros had powerful ht now the curse was li on so it wasn't that coot involved with each other, it should create a lot of uncertain point

And then when someone noticed those inconsistencies, their brain would create another lie to complement it

It was a terrific power that came from the resonance of Avalon and the Ruins──was how it looked like, but there should be solance at a corner of the party venue There he could see the figure of Philuffy and Relie

The key to break the puzzle existed in the past o, Philuffy who he thought died from the human experiment was resurrected later by Sacred Eclipse's power, that was how she was alive even now

But, if she really died at that tiht now?

Because, if the perception ht noould continue for eternity, Count Atismata who accomplished the revolution at that time would surely be alive even now

Even if he didn't exist in the throne, it would be fine if he was simply kept alive in everyone's perception