Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Volume 4 Chapter 5

Episode 5 - Night of Betrayal Part 1

「With this we can relax somewhat. Everyone, thank you for your hard work.」

Relie said that to the members of Syvalles who returned to the boardinghouse and finished their medical treatment and dinner.

The alarm that was activated at the seventh floor's manufacture area settled down and they were able to safely open the direct pa.s.sage from the eighth floor to the deck.

They found Airi who was separated from them and there was no member who was seriously harmed.

Philuffy also fell into fever because she fought Orthros and collapsed, but her condition was settling down right now.

Tomorrow they would finally aim to reach the control area and the deepest floor, tonight they would retire to bed.

After Lux talked to Airi who was separated from the group at the afternoon and everyone who fought Orthros, Lux visited Philuffy's room.

「How do you feel, Phi-chan?」

「Nn……. I think, I'm hungry.」

When Lux asked, Philuffy got up and said that.

When Relie asked her about what happened right after she woke up, it seemed that Philuffy didn't remember anything after she went out of the Ark chasing after Orthros.

It was fortunate that she didn't remember about herself running wild right after that and also about the conversation with Hayes.

「Then, you've already waken up, so do you want to eat something? Something like fruits, I asked Krulcifer-san to cut various things──」

「Yes. Thank you.」

「Then, I'll feed you today.」

Normally Lux couldn't do that because he would feel embarra.s.sed, but he was able to act naturally toward the current Philuffy.

(It feels like we returned to when we were children……)

Lux recalled that period when he spent time with Philuffy inside and outside the palace.

Lux used a fork to carry the a.s.sortment of fruits Krulcifer cut for him bit by bit into Philuffy's mouth.

Philuffy was continuing to eat them silently with her mouth moving like a small animal.

「Is it delicious?」

「……Yes」

It was a short reply, but Lux could sense Philuffy's happiness from the slight change of her expression.

「Lu-chan too, eat with me.」

Philuffy silently took the fork from Lux's hand and stabbed at the orange on the plate.

And then she silently presented it toward Lux's mouth.

「Eh……!? I, I'm fine. Besides──」

It was the same fork Philuffy just used, so he felt a bit embarra.s.sed.

Lux thought like that and his heart pounded hard. Seeing such Lux, Philuffy brought her face close toward him.

「Here.」

She urged him with an att.i.tude that didn't bother at all with Lux's rejection.

As expected, he wasn't a match against Philuffy.

The orange that was steadily fed to him felt especially sweet.

「……Then, rest at ease until your body recover okay? If you need something, call someone right away.」

After the fruit plate became empty, Lux turned off the lamp's light and he was about to leave──.

「Lu-chan.」

Her single word that she suddenly heard caused Lux to twitch and stiffened.

The Ratatoskr of Yggdrasil that was planted on Philuffy's heart.

It wouldn't be strange even if the impulse of the command that Hayes sent to Philuffy through the Yggdrasil ran wild anytime.

When Lux turned around nervously,

「It's no good, if you act too recklessly you know?」

He saw the usual gentle face of Philuffy there.

But, Lux's expression froze seeing that face.

One of Philuffy's eyes was dyed jet black, the golden pupil in it was s.h.i.+ning.

But, Philuffy's expression was the same like usual. It was unknown whether she noticed it herself or not. Lux stared at her in a daze.

「……Right, I, know.」

He barely nodded back and Lux left the room.

「Rest well, Phi-chan.」

And then he quietly closed the door. Lux walked in the corridor with heavy footsteps.

After walking for around a few mel, he knocked his forehead on the wall.

「Uu……, a, aa……」

The inside of his head was going around in circles, the world warped.

His limbs shook and he didn't know what his expression looked like.

「How……! Why!? Did I not save Philuffy that time……!? Why, why, I──」

When Lux headed toward another room as though running away, there was Relie standing at the middle of the corridor.

「Thank you for looking after her, Lux-kun.」

Her face didn't have her usual joking expression, it was a face that somewhat looked quiet.

「How about, we talk a little?」

Following Relie's words, Lux headed toward another room away from that place.

「Looking at your face, it looks like you have noticed it already haven't you?」

Lux guessed the truth from Relie's extremely calm words.

「Do you know, about Philuffy's condition……?」

Lux asked with an empty expression.

It was a dark voice that was chilly even for him.

「I don't know as far as the specific, but I too only realize it only recently.」

Relie opened a room's door with a smile that was mixed with self-derision.

It was the personal room for the use of the manager. On the table inside the room, there was doc.u.ments that Relie brought from the academy piled up high there.

Most likely, she herself was also investigating the information from Ruin even after giving Airi the work to decipher the ancient text of the Ruin.

Looking for a way to save her little sister that a.s.similated with Abyss.

「……Where should I begin from I wonder. Lux-kun, do you remember about the incident when Philuffy was kidnapped by the old empire's military in the past?」

「Yes……」

There was no way he would forget.

Five years ago, he cooperated with Lisha's father Count Atismata and planned the coup d'etat. He heard about the incident from his eldest brother Fugil and went to this Ries Island alone.

That disgusting incident where young girls were taken away under the guise of medical care, when it was actually in order to do medical experiment of military weapon.

Lux located the experiment place. When he arrived at the experiment facility underground the monastery, he didn't find Philuffy there.

「That time, I sent a letter to Lux-kun, saying that Philuffy was saved.」

「……Was that, a lie?」

「Half of it.」

「Eh……?」

Lux opened his eyes wide at Relie's baffling answer.

「She actually should be died. When we discovered her, it was already……too late. Even the doctor I brought with me threw up the towel and stopped his examination. But──after that, Philuffy was resurrected together with a mysterious light and pattern.」

That must be the Ratatoskr Hayes mentioned.

A part of Ragnarok, the seed of offshoot that Yggdrasil supplied combined with Philuffy and saved her.

「Seeing her condition at that time, I was wondering whether there was something dangerous planted in Philuffy. Since then, Philuffy's body became tougher than before. If she is serious, she can exert strength that even adult cannot compare with. I entrusted Philuffy to a teacher from martial art family to teach her the way to suppress her strength. I hid my little sister's condition while investigating about the thing planted inside her.」

「I noticed that my little sister become something like Abyss since I became headmaster here and Philuffy became student. That's why even when Philuffy became a Divine Drag-Ride user, I excluded Philuffy from getting involved with Ruin and from the Abyss extermination duty. It's because Abyss is a target to be disposed in the new kingdom's law. If this fact become known by someone──there is high chance that she will get killed.」

「Such thing……!」

Lux who was listening until now spontaneously yelled.

Relie who saw that made an empty smile along with a small sigh.

「For me, the inside of that ruin is my last hope. It's only a slight possibility, but it's the only place with any chance where I can save my little sister. If I can grasp the information at the untrodden deepest level, then perhaps it will be also possible to save a human that is a.s.similated with Abyss.」

「That's why you use us to investigate the Ruin without taking permission from the new kingdom……?」

「……Yes, that's right.」

Relie nodded in resignation toward Lux's question and confirmed it.

And then, she took a deep breath and showed a face that contained determination in it.

「Regarding what I'm doing, I'm doing it with the resolve to accept the consequence. I don't regret it, and I don't intend to. I'll reach the deepest floor in this time's Ruin investigation no matter what.」

「Relie-san……」

「I don't mind even if you tell everyone. At that time I intend to go alone. It seems according to La Cruche, Abyss almost surely won't come out in the remaining distance until the deepest level anyway, if I'm lucky I can reach there.」

Relie said only that then she silently sat on a chair inside the room.

And then she looked down as though to say that she had no more words.

Lux went out of the silent room and looked up to the sky from the corridor's window.

Lux couldn't say anything.

The parasite body of Ragnarok that was administered into Philuffy was constantly receiving the command to kill Lux. Because Philuffy rejected it, her body was weakening.

The time until Philuffy's life ran out wasn't that long anymore.

「What should I choose……」

The answer didn't come out even when he looked up to the sky.

Part 2

The next day, the Ruin investigation was carried out since the morning.

They started the investigation from the stopping point at the eighth floor and hurried through the path that was almost a straight line.

Airi and Relie partic.i.p.ated this time too. Including them there were thirteen people partic.i.p.ating, but Philuffy was resting at the boarding house because her condition wasn't well.

Fortunately, they reached safely until the tenth floor without encountering Abyss just as expected.

While continuing to walk the corridor where unfamiliar strange objects were lining up, La Cruche suddenly stopped her legs, and then, she looked up to the ceiling with her small body.

「Everyone, thank you for accompanying me until this far. We have safely arrived at the control room area. I will open the door after this, so can I ask for a little help?」

「I'll do it. What do I need to do?」

Krulcifer replied like that earlier than everyone and came forward.

This was something that she had arranged beforehand with La Cruche.

The cooperation of Krulcifer who was an Xfer, someone who inherited the blood of the Ruin's supervisor was necessary to open the door of the control room area. She wanted to hide that true ident.i.ty of hers.

For that, La Cruche asked for the cooperation of 『someone』 to hide that fact.

『Xfer's existence is confirmed. The door will open.』

The door of the control room area was opened along with the sensation of an unfamiliar inorganic voice echoing directly inside the brain.

It was a fairytale-like s.p.a.ce that was enveloped with faint mysterious light.

「Please wait for just a bit. I will supplement my memory and restore the Ark's system.」

And then, La Cruche sat down on a small chair at the center of the room. At the same time, something like a helm came down from overhead and connected with her.

She slowly closed her eyes and began to concentrate her consciousness.

「If everyone has spare time, it's fine even if you all go ahead to look at this Ruin's deepest part you know? It looks like it will take quite a bit of time until my lost memory is restored.」

「Then we will do as you say. Airi-chan, will you come with me?」

「Ah, yes. I don't mind but──it's just……」

Relie immediately agreed and she was about to head to the deepest part. In contrast Airi was mumbling as though she wanted to say something. Even so she nodded.

Lux and others also accompanied the two of them.

The distance from the tenth floor's control room area until the deepest part was really short.

After they went down cream colored and smooth stair, they could see the door of the deepest level.

It was a grey colored gate that was far firmer then everything until now.

「This place, so this is……」

Relie touched the solid door and muttered emotionally.

She approached the strange gem before the gate, but there wasn't any reaction.

『……Ah, please don't give any impact to that room over there.』

「Uwah……!?」

Lux and Lisha reacted in surprise hearing that voice that came out of nowhere.

Krulcifer calmly looked up and muttered.

「La Cruche. Is this your voice?」

『Yes master. I'm contacting you through the communication equipment and monitoring devices deployed through the Ark. The last room will need your──not that, it need specific authentication, but as long as you have that then you'll be able to enter inside.』

「Then, can you teach me that method?」

Relie urged from the side.

She was feigning calm, but most likely she was impatient inside.

She wanted to obtain the knowledge of the ancient era as soon as possible, deciphered it, and found the method to safe Philuffy.

Everyone present there gulped and held their breath, it was then──,

「Please wait!」

Suddenly Airi spoke out and broke the mood.

While everyone there held their tongue from the surprise, Airi started talking with trembling voice.

「This morning I deciphered an ancient text──it's a text that was newly obtained from the Garden previously. It was written there that a mobile device of a weapon that mustn't be touched is sleeping here. About the detail, even I was unable to decipher it, and it also need confirmation from the government so I stayed quiet but……. If, this translation is correct then──」

「Don't tell me, what destroyed the ancient era that created this Ruin was……」

Airi silently nodded at Lux's muttering.

「Yes, it's highly likely that it was because of that weapon. If the forbidden device sleeping at the Ruin's deepest part is activated, we don't know what will happen. It's dangerous for us to decide it right now.」

「That might be so.」

Krulcifer also agreed with Airi's fearful opinion.

「If there is a secret that important inside, then we cannot open this with our own discretion. We should send messenger to the capital and ask for the decision from above. We also have to obtain the information at the control room area from La Cruche, and then every country need to have discussion with each other based on that.」

Relie's shoulders were quaking a bit beside Krulcifer who was talking calmly.

Even Lux could understand her feeling like the back of his own hand.

Philuffy's condition was a race against time.

Surely Relie wanted to enter this room right now without wasting time.

Lux also felt the same like her.

If the door of the deepest part wasn't opened until the sunset of two days later──.

Hayes's words crossed through his mind.

However, he couldn't divulge that fact right now in this place.

While Lux was feeling conflicted, Relie made a choice.

「──It can't be helped.」

She made a gentle expression and calmly spoke.

「Certainly it will be dangerous to enter the deepest part with our current group. Let's come back again here later. The restoration of La Cruche's memory will also finish around that time.」

「Yes……」

Airi leaked out a relieved sigh.

With her methodical personality, originally she wouldn't immediately speak about the content of the ancient text she deciphered, instead she would confirm it with other expert first without fail to make sure that her translation was correct, but this time the content was too risky, so that was why she was fl.u.s.tered like that.

They met up with the other members, and then after explaining that, they returned back to the surface.

La Cruche said that it would take half a day for her to restore all her lost memory.

And then after getting information from her, they would submit their report to the new kingdom government and waited for the next instruction regarding the Ruin investigation.

They finished talking with such conclusion.

「Come to think of it, where is that guy called Dobar or something? Even though that guy was that hasty, but we didn't catch sight of him at all──」

Lisha said that while they were going back. Everyone exchanged opinion casually, but in the end they all returned to the surface without knowing anything.

At night, inside the boardinghouse after dinner it was silent as death as though the bustling atmosphere a few days ago was just a lie.

Other than training camp, there was also the Ruin investigation and fight against Abyss.

More than half of the members reached their limit from the fatigue of training and investigation every day. They quickly headed to their bedroom after lightly was.h.i.+ng off their sweat.

When Lux returned to his room, there was Airi nodding off while facing her desk.

She must be tried from the nervousness of traveling inside Ruin in flesh without wearing protection and from her work deciphering the ancient text.

Lux carried her in his arms and moved her to the bed, then put a blanket on her.

He thought to consult her, but as expected he couldn't involve Airi.

Philuffy was sleeping inside her room. She didn't show any sign of waking up.

The promised date was approaching.

『Finish your investigation in two days.』

Hayes's objective might be the activation of the forbidden device that Airi mentioned.

If he asked Krulcifer to open the last door, it was possible that the device would get stolen by Hayes, and the new kingdom──no, the world itself would be in danger.

「──What should I do?」

Even though he wanted to save Philuffy no matter how faint the hope was──he couldn't decide.

Perhaps what he was going to choose to do might become a repeat of the same mistake like that time.

Just like before when for the sake of his wish to change the country, he caused a war and he failed.

(Even so, I──)

Lux gripped the sheath of his Sword Device hard and closed his eyes tightly, it was then,

Dread ran through him.

Even Lux didn't understand what was going on at first, he looked at his fingertips and knees that were starting to shake, and he noticed the cause.

The night in the island that was wrapped in the roar of the sea.

A monster melted into the tranquil darkness and held its breath.

Lux wordlessly got up and went out of the boardinghouse through the backdoor so that other members wouldn't find him.

He crossed through the bushes where there was no lighting and came out into an open s.p.a.ce.

That man was standing under the brilliantly s.h.i.+ning full moon.

「──It has been a long time, my younger brother. O the weakest hero who was defeated in the battle of ideal.」

Calm and elegant voice, and a composed bearing.

He was wearing a luxurious overcoat. Silver hair, fiercely glaring gray eyes that reminded one of a hungry beast. He was that man without a doubt.

*dokun……!*

Lux's heart jumped, it caused a hallucination as though his blood was flowing in reverse.

The face of his only relative who understood him.

And the scorning face that was looking down on the fallen him.

The countless memories until that point flowed inside Lux's mind in an instant──,

「Fugil Arcadia……!」

He spouted those words as though they were pushed out from his lungs.

The man who was the first imperial prince of the old Arcadia Empire, planned the coup d'etat together with Lux……, and then he was the man who betrayed Lux at the end and erased the remaining imperial family.

Lux's longtime enemy, the older brother that he was chasing for these five years.

「……Why are you here?」

His throat felt terribly parched just from saying that short sentence.

Lux questioned with a tense voice, at the same time he drew out Bahamut's Sword Device.

At this distance, it was faster to directly slash at the opponent rather than summoning and deploying Drag-Ride.

And also, there was no sign and presence of enemy at the surrounding other than Fugil.

He could take the initiative at the instant of opening when the opponent prepared for summoning.

Lux slowly closed the distance while observing Fugil.

「Is that Heiburg's strategist called Hayes, also instigated by you?」

「What if I say that's true?」

Fugil showed a fearless smile and jested.

Lux didn't overlook the instant of opening when Fugil breathed in to reply.

「I'll capture you.」

Lux kicked on the ground that was covered with gra.s.s while muttering that at the same time.

Lux stepped forward with low posture. He swung his sword quickly at the same time, tripping the foot of Fugil who tried to dodge.

「Oof……!」

Fugil fell down face up. Right after that, Lux swiftly thrust the tip of his sword on Fugil's throat.

「……I see. You intend to take me hostage to safe your childhood friend by using me to bargain for her release?」

Fugil asked with a composed smile without even a twitch in his eyebrow.

Lux glared at him and silently affirmed it, then,

「Really it's just as I expected from you, my younger brother.」

An admiring voice came from behind Lux.

Lux who had progressed the event calmly until now instantly opened his eyes wide in surprise.

The figure of the man who should be lying down on the ground with a sword pointed on his throat was vanis.h.i.+ng.

When Lux turned around in panic, there was Fugil calmly standing above a low-rise hill at slight distance away.

「Wha……!?」

'What happened!?'

Lux was confused by the impossible reality.

(I didn't take my eyes off him even for a moment. He also didn't use any distraction or that my attention was diverted. And yet, how──)

「Way to go my younger brother. Amazing thought and judgment as expected. The moment you saw me your bitter enemy, if it's a normal person they will only stand still trying to understand the situation, but you formed several plans in merely a few moment and carried them out.」

Fugil continued his words looking like he was enjoying it happily from the bottom of his heart, along with a wicked smile on his face.

「You predicted my connection with Hayes, thought a plan to capture me to make use of me as negotiation material, and you tried to make it reality. That was an action that was unthinkable to come from someone who had been beaten to the punch. It was also amazing how you dare not to call your Drag-Ride in order to take me by surprise.」

With a snap, Fugil sheathed his sword while smiling.

Lux only noticed just now that the brother he was confronting had unsheathed his sword without him realizing it.

Did he overlook that because he was too fl.u.s.tered?

(──No, that's not it. Fugil didn't unsheathe his sword, I've no doubt about that.)

Perhaps his hand held the sword handle and moved in just an instant. But, even so what was the connection?

(No! It's not the time to think about that right now!)

Lux aborted his thought that was starting to wander off course. He concentrated toward the phenomenon before him.

At any rate, his first attack missed and a distance was opened between them.

He could only call Bahamut.

Lux put his strength onto the b.u.t.ton on the sword handle, and he was going to whisper the pa.s.scode, it was at that instant,

「But, unfortunately you misread the situation, my younger brother. I don't have any worth at all as a hostage. It's pointless to capture me.」

Fugil informed indifferently as though to shave off Lux's resolve.

「And then you are going to commit a great mistake. If you start to fight me here, there will be no helping your childhood friend anymore for eternity.」

Lux's hand stopped hearing Fugil's extremely calm statement.

「What do you……, mean?」

「I'm trying to stop that woman called Hayes. I should be her ally, but that woman is deviating too much from our original conduct you see. It's necessary to correct the course here. In other words it's only in this moment right now──that my interest align with you.」

「To control that Yggdrasil──the Ragnarok's main body, a particular requirement is necessary. The horn flute that brat is carrying is specially made, a one and only item that is called『Origin Variety』. Therefore──if you can just destroy or steal it, she won't be able to give new instruction to the Ragnarok anymore. And then if you can just defeat the main body of Yggdrasil, you can remove the harm toward that childhood friend of yours. That's how it is, even if for example the blood of Abyss is already residing in half of her body.」

「……Do you have proof that this isn't your trap?」

Lux fixed his expression so that the agitation in his heart couldn't be detected and he asked.

There was no way he could just swallow the words of his enemy Fugil, but he asked that in order to probe Fugil's true intention.

「Unfortunately, I can only put my hope on your discernment for that. That's including your discernment whether I have any need to tell such lie.」

The horn flute to use at Ragnarok that only Hayes possessed, the Origin Variety.

Previously, when Poseidon was resurrected, Hayes was hiding inside the shadow of her robe and he couldn't see what she was doing.

But, two days ago when Hayes showed up in front of him, the horn flute that he saw she was holding had strange pattern engraved on it.

「──Is that, everything you want to say?」

「No, putting aside my advice, I have one thing I want to ask. a.s.suming that what I said was all true──do you really have the intention to save that childhood friend of yours?」

In respond to Fugil's question, Lux met his gaze wordlessly.

「As I thought, you haven't changed huh. You are still the same like that time, foolish and weak.」

Fugil sighed in exasperation and he looked up to empty air.

With his back still facing the deep ultramarine of the darkness, he formed a smile that could even be called as evil countenance.

「Don't you notice that you too are trying to do the same thing like that woman called Relie? Saving what is important, an existence that is irreplaceable for you. Certainly it sounds nice, but in actuality doing that is a betrayal toward this country and those students. You are committing a folly that might turn you into the enemy of the world.」

「It's evil──is that what you want to say?」

「No……」

Unexpectedly Fugil instantly denied it.

「It's troubling because it's not evil or anything. However, if there are a thousand people then there will be a thousand path of justice──I don't have any intention to speak any tomfoolery like that.  They don't have any awareness of good and evil, this is nothing more than them merely in conflict regarding something that they cannot concede, as only natural.」

Fugil continued so still wearing his composed smile.

「That is the nature of living thing as it were. People who have been hungry in the past will try to gather more food. The weak will try to obtain even stronger power. People who have their important person robbed from them will try to protect their important person desperately. And then──」

Fugil peered into the eyes of Lux who was still holding up his sword and laughed.

「Someone who wasn't loved by anyone, will try to be loved ny anyone.」

Lux didn't reply at all toward Fugil's words.

But, he narrowed his shadowed eyes and spoke.

「Why, did you kill all the imperial family and army of the old empire that day? Your true objective──what is it?」

「The current you won't understand even if I told you.」

Fugil replied with a tone that was mixed with a sigh.

「But, someday you will understand if you keep walking your path as it is. In the future each nation will develop even more intense conflict. The lot of the new kingdom will approach to make use of your and your comrade's strength. They will come to take you into their fold. They will try to lure you into a repulsive path, carrying the great cause that is no other than『to protect the new kingdom's peace』.」

「You should understand before long. Just what did I do at that day. Why did I make use of you. If you get involved with this country again, and yet you will still try to persist in your ideal, then──」

Fugil turned around. He tilted his head and looked back with a smile.

「You will understand that nothing exist in this world. Whether it's your ideal, or what you want to protect, everything.」

He left behind only those words and walked away.

When Lux stepped forward to chase after him, he saw Fugil drew out his Sword Device.

The blade glistened with light, silver lines were running through it.

The sword emitted undulating faint light of seven colors.

「Uu……, ku……!」

Sharp and piercing pain instantly ran at the back of Lux's eyes. Lux pressed his hand on his forehead and fell on one knee.

When he noticed, Fugil was vanis.h.i.+ng like a mist.

It was as though nothing was there right from the start.

「Oooii! Lux!」

A voice came while Lux was staring at the darkness in blank amazement.

When he turned around, he saw the figure of Lisha approaching him in a run.

「Lisha, sama……」

「I finally completed it! I succeeded in the last system removal so that your Bahamut can use the awakened state! It's thanks to the code that your little sister solved. But──」

She talked in excitement until midway before her tone became faltering.

「This thing, as I thought it's better not to use it……. It's a good thing that the ability can come to light but, the burden is too great. Using that with Bahamut is still──」

「Please teach me! I beg you!」

「Wah!?」

Lux took both her hands and pleaded.

The surprised Lisha was blus.h.i.+ng while,

「Ca, calm down. Certainly it's a failed work right now, but perhaps it will become usable depending on the future improvement. That's why, don't be reckless. Letting you do something dangerous by yourself more than this is──」

「I beg you, Lisha-sama.」

Lux sent her a serious gaze and didn't let go of her hands.

「A time will come where I have to use it. At this rate, it might turn into something I regret again. I──don't want, to repeat the same thing like that time!」

「That, time……?」

When Lisha tilted her head, a strange scene was revived at the back of Lux's mind.

That day when the old empire was finished.

Sparks danced in the sky, swarms of Drag-Ride crossed in the dark night.

And then──.

The consciousness of Lux that was receding away was called back.

The sensation of soft and smooth small hands.

In front of him Lisha was grasping back at Lux's hands while her cheeks were slightly dyed red.

「I, I get it.」

She directed her gaze at Lux with slightly exasperated face and puffed up cheeks.

「You won't listen to anything once you already speak. Even though normally you are that humble……. But, the code to release Bahamut is complicated, so I have to teach you from scratch you know?」

「Thank you very much, Lisha-sama.」

「……Fuh」

Seeing Lux bowing his head really deeply, Lisha smiled with a troubled look.

──With this, the preparation was in order.

This was the only plan left that could save Philuffy within tonight.

Lux resolved himself like that in his heart. It was then Lisha suddenly lifted up her face,

「Come to think of it, where is Relie? I was looking for her since some time ago to get the permission to use the awakened mode──」

Lux suddenly realized hearing that.

「……I'm sorry, Lisha-sama.」

And then a few second later Lux turned to face Lisha and told her with a serious expression.

「Can I ask you to contact everyone? If Relie-san cannot be found anywhere then──」

Saying that, Lux resolved himself.

It was the determination to plunge himself into the upheaval once more.

「I'll look for her. At the deepest level of the Ruin──」

Part 3

Ten minutes later. Everyone split to search for Relie at the likely places like the boarding house, the practice ground, and other places.

But, there wasn't any sign of her at all.

There was also the possibility that she was kidnapped by someone, but Lux had an idea about her whereabouts.

The Ruin.

In order to look for a way to erase the Ratatoskr of the Ragnarok taking hold of Philuffy, Relie planned to slip into the deepest level.

Therefore, Lux would slip into the ruin alone in order to not involve the other students.

From here onward, there was the possibility that the students would get dragged into a serious crime.

If they weren't careful, it wouldn't end as only the problem of the new kingdom. It might become a big international problem that could affect the international tournament that would start after this.

(But……, I cannot leave her alone like this.)

At the night duty room in the boardinghouse where Relie was.

There was a letter placed on the table there. It was only written with 'please take care of Philuffy'.

Lux who sensed an alarming atmosphere from the letter hurriedly moved to exit the boardinghouse, it was then──.

「Lu-chan. Wait.」

「Philuffy……!?」

When he looked there, Philuffy was getting up with her face red and her body staggering.

「You must not! Right now, if you don't sleep──」

There was no way he could talk about the Ragnarok, so Lux told her like that in panic.

However,

「I, already know.」

「Eh……?」

「That in my body, there is Abyss.」

Philuffy said that with her usual absentminded tone and serious face.

The moment Lux heard that, the inside of his head became blank.

「Philuf, fy……」

A listless voice was squeezed out from Lux's lungs.

「Sorry, for staying quiet.」

Philuffy calmly smiled while saying that.

「……I noticed it recently but, well, it doesn't really matter.」

「Eeh!?」

Lux was taken by surprise from Philuffy's words that were still at her own pace even now.

But,

「Yes. because, it's important that I live. Because, if I die, both Onee-chan and Lu-chan will surely be sad.」

Philuffy lightly put her hand on her chest and muttered.

「Onee-chan, after Okaa-san died from sickness, she looked like she was really lonely. That was why, I thought, I cannot die.」

Philuffy continued talking while smiling. Her tone was detached in nostalgia.

「Lu-chan is also someone who get lonely really easily, so I thought that it will be really painful for you, if I die.」

「That's why──I'm glad, I'm alive until today.」

Lux's chest tightened hearing that sentence that was like a surprise attack.

He wondered since when he misunderstood that Philuffy didn't notice.

Normally Philuffy was silent and she wasn't good in expressing her emotion, but with her sharp intuition, she understood about Lux and Relie more than anyone.

Of course that included how Lux and Relie were actually alive while carrying unbearable loneliness and wound.

And also how if Philuffy who was their support died, both of them would lose sight of themselves.

Philuffy knew all about the change of her own body, she noticed it, but she still tried to live.

「But, it's already okay.」

Saying that, Philuffy made a transient smile.

「Because, Lu-chan already made, a lot of important people. Because, you've become strong.」

She said that with a voice that sounded just a little lonely.

「That's why surely, you'll be fine.」

That voice that was trying to rea.s.sure him was the same like that time seven years ago.

However, it was different from that time.

「──You're wrong-!」

Lux reflexively yelled, but he couldn't speak further.

And then, he strongly embraced the body of Philuffy before him.

「Lu, chan?」

Warm body and the faint sweet fragrance.

Lux whispered while pus.h.i.+ng down his emotion that usually made his heart pounded hard at this kind of time.

「I'm, no good……. I haven't changed at all since then……I'm still, weaker than anyone else!」

Faint surprise and perplexity could be felt from the girl inside his arms.

Even so, Lux didn't let go of her.

「Don't disappear……. The wound inside me still remained all this time since that day! It was because Philuffy saved me that day, because you stayed alive until today, that I could fight as the prince of Arcadia Empire!」

A person who lost the important person that they ought to protect.

A person who cursed the whole world and turned it into enemy, such person wouldn't be able to change a country.

「That's why, don't go! Don't disappear! I absolutely, this time for sure I absolutely will save you! That's why──」

「I see.」

A gentle sensation of a hand caressed Lux's front hair.

When he noticed, Philuffy was making a faint smile at him.

「Lu-chan, still haven't changed.」

Philiffy caressed Lux's cheek in nostalgia and muttered.

「Thank you. I'll wait.」

It was only a brief sentence.

It was the demonstration of will showed by the silent Philuffy using words.

Lux understood everything just from that.

「Please, take care of Onee-chan.」

「Yes.」

Lux nodded firmly and turned around.

And then, the moment he turned his back, Philuffy's voice called out to him.

「Also, call me Phi-chan, okay?」

「Yes……sorry.」

Lux smiled wryly hearing Philuffy's words that sounded a bit sullen.

「……Then, I'm going, Phi-chan.」

And then Lux exited the boarding house and started running.

Part 4

Lux ran at full speed along the coast late at night.

Lux asked Lisha and others to communicate to everyone at the surface to not go near the Ruin, and for them to wait until Relie and Lux returned.

If he tried to get the cooperation of Lisha and others, they would get dragged into this dangerous battle where there would be no return.

Lux jumped on the deck of the Ark, opened the door of the direct pa.s.sage, then stepped above the relay portal.

「──Come, the symbol of power the winged dragon of crest. Obey my sword and take flight, Wyvern」

First Lux equipped Wyvern and waited. Then the transfer began.

The corridor of the eighth floor that they previously reached now had bluish white lamp s.h.i.+ning, different from before.

「Did the system, recover?」

La Cruche was recovering her memory at the control room area and restored her authority as the Gear Leader.

Originally everything should turn out well with that but──.

「GURORORO……!」

A weird growl came from behind an object.

「Don't tell me──!?」

When Lux noticed, the thing already leaped at him.

「SHAAaAAAAH!」

A winged person made from a solid material attacked while letting out a piercing cry.

Lux barely used his sword as s.h.i.+eld and blocked the first attack.

「Gargoyle!? Why here……!」

The Automaton(La Cruche) said that Abyss mostly shouldn't appear at eighth floor and below. It was because originally it wasn't a place that should be protected.

For that reason Relie hurried ahead thinking that she could reach until the deepest level even without Drag-Ride but──.

(No, right now isn't the time to think about that!)

Lux instantly erased his various imagination and poured his concentration to the battle in front of him.

He destroyed the second attack toward his Wyvern with the Scale Blade's Critical Hit.

「GUGAH, AAaAAH!」

The Gargoyle writhed when its sharp claw along with its right arm was pulverized.

But at the same time, even more enemy presence appeared as though they heard the scream.

There was a Chimera that he once witnessed together with Celis, a winged beast Gryphon, and also squid type Abyss called Kraken.

There were more than ten enemies just from what he could see.

The Abysses were taking formation that surrounded him in this place where there was little cover.

(This is bad, at this rate──)

Although Lux was used to fight Abyss, this situation was still overwhelmingly disadvantageous for him.

He could face them down if he switched his Drag-Ride into Bahamut!

「SHAaAAAAH!」

The Gargoyle roared and it was about to attack Lux once more, it was then──.

*DOON!*

Dazzling flash ran through empty air and hit the Gargoyle.

「GA, aAAAAH!」

Its dying scream was drowned by an explosive sound. It scattered black fragments and vanished.

The canon attack that was fired from behind Lux pierced the one armed Gargoyle.

「As always, you are a forceful guy huh.」

「──Eh?」

Lux's eyes opened wide in surprise and he turned his gaze to the surrounding.

At that time, large type Abysses that were waiting for the chance to attack had their body frozen one after another.

「I understand that you're feeling impatient, but it's putting the car before the horse if you're defeated.」

When Lux turned toward the voice from behind him, he found the figure of Lisha and Krulcifer there wearing Tiamat and Fafnir.

Without even any time to let out any word in surprise, lightning ran at the surrounding and turned the frozen Abysses into ash one after another.

「The headmaster is like that, but you too are also really rash. I conclude that a lecture is needed when we get back.」

Celis who was wearing the Divine Drag-Ride of lightning Lindwurm told Lux that in exasperation.

「It appears that the headmaster is going ahead until the tenth floor. From the reaction, La Cruche is also beside her. Abysses are approaching them from the surrounding. It's better to hurry if you want to chase them.」

Noct said from behind while confirming with her Drake's radar.

「Aah but, a lot of enemies are coming down to this area, so Lux-chi , you can just leave this to us! Ah, you can pay us back for this later on!」

「Well, putting aside Tillfur, those three Divine Drag-Ride users are really something, so leave this place to us lad.」

「Uwah, meanie! Even though I'm enduring my fear like this!」

Hearing Sharis's words, Tillfur showed her actual feeling and acted fl.u.s.tered.

It seemed that everyone gathered here because they noticed Lux's objective.

However,

「Why is everyone, doing this──」

「I told everyone.」

*step*, A small walking sound echoed and a small statured girl walked forward.

The girl wearing school uniform was Airi.

「I accidentally listened to Nii-san and headmaster's talk. After hearing that, it's simple to predict how Nii-san will act so──」

Saying that, Airi looked up toward Lux with slightly anxious face.

「Nii-san is going to save Philuffy-san right? No matter what.」

「……Yes.」

「Then, let's start. Doing it with everyone should have higher chance of success. Surely──」

「Airi, please be careful. It's enemy reinforcement.」

Noct raised a tensed voice, at the same time everyone stood ready.

「Lux. Go quickly! We will take care of these guys!」

Right after Lisha raised her voice, Krulcifer also sent a dragon voice that was transmitted to only Lux.

『We're going to catch up soon. I think that my authentication might be necessary to open the door to the deepest level. For now, go on ahead to the headmaster──』

「Yes!」

Lux replied while flying his Wyvern at the same time.

「Everyone, thank you.」

Lux said his thanks to everyone who gathered here and rushed through the pa.s.sage in full speed.

Lux thought while going straight through the remaining floors in high speed.

Even though he intended to not involve them, in the end he made them to fuss about him needlessly instead.

Even though there should be no time for them to hear about the detail from Airi, even so everyone rushed to help him.

He felt a mysterious feeling.

The thing that he couldn't obtain all this time since that day when he was a child.

Perhaps this time for sure he would obtain irreplaceable comrades that he could trust.

And then, even now Lux was scared that those comrades would abandon him, or perhaps he would lose them because of his fault.

That was something that didn't change since that day where he harbored doubt toward the old empire(that country).

(But──!)

There was already no time for hesitation.

The time of his childhood where he couldn't do anything.

And then, the day of revolution five years ago when he was betrayed and failed.

His current answer would come out after this.

Pa.s.sing through the scenery that was flowing in high speed over him, Lux resolved himself, at that moment,

「──Relie-san!」

He saw it.

「……Lux-kun-!?」

He overtook Relie who was together with La Cruche and intercepted the beast type Abyss that was standing in their way.

「Uo, OaaAAAAH!」

The Abyss that was called as Werewolf received the Critical Hit from the Scale Blade and its upper body was blown away.

After confirming the Abyss's death, Lux walked toward Relie who was falling on her knees.

「Are you all right? Is anywhere hurt──?」

「How, did you know I came here──? No, rather than that……even you」

Relie opened her eyes in blank amazement while whispering.

「Yes. I'll also save Philuffy. No matter what, for sure.」

「Is that so……」

Relie made a frail smile hearing Lux's words and she averted her gaze.

「……But, something like that, actually might not exist. Something like a way to save that girl, actually it's nowhere to be……. Even so──I」

A voice that was filled with emptiness was squeezed out from Relie's lungs.

She used every way available in order to save her beloved little sister, then she realized that everything she did was for naught,

Even so, she couldn't give up.

Inside those words, there was the suffering of someone who continued to fight loneliness.

「It will be fine. Surely, we will manage somehow.」

Even so, Lux didn't take back the hand he offered and formed his words strongly.

「Besides I promised her, that this time for sure, I'll absolutely save her──」

Relie looked down hearing Lux's voice that was filled with conviction.

But, this time she took Lux's hand and stood up.

「I'm sorry for dragging you into this. ──But, thank you.」

Relie wiped her eyes that were blotted with tears and silently stood up.

「Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's hurry.」

Relie tensed her expression and turned her gaze toward her side. There La Cruche was smiling.

「I read the mood and stayed quiet. I'm a good child.」

「Ah, isn't that right……」

Lux responded with a wry smile.

While no more Abyss came, they went down until the deepest level of eleventh floor. It was then Lisha and others caught up from behind.

「Master. Please touch the crest of the door and think silently. The door of the deepest part will open after that.」

「──I understand.」

Krulcifer took a deep breath, then she walked toward the huge door.

At that time Lux whispered into the ear of Airi who was standing beside him.

「Airi, do you bring the horn flute?」

「Yes. I'm carrying it close to my person though──」

「Then I have a request. If the situation become like what I predicted, I want you to use it.」

When Lux began telling Airi about 『that plan』 , Krulcifer's hand was held out toward the door.

The moment her hand touched, several streak of blue lightning ran on the surface of the door.

Krulcifer leaked out a small moan from feeling a stimulus that felt like pain. s.h.i.+ning countless letters were emerging on the smooth surface of the door and it was opening.

『The authentication of Xfer is confirmed……connection complete. There is also no problem with the usage restriction. Unlocking is possible with mind control operation.』

The inorganic artificial voice could be heard. Bewilderment appeared on Relie's face.

「What happened? Krulcifer-san, you are……!?」

「I'll explain later. If we are still safe at that time──」

Krulcifer closed her eyes with her hand still on the door and she concentrated.

And then the door rumbled and a strange vibration was transmitted through her hand, after that,

*GAs.h.i.+N!*

The door opened to four directions like flower petals along with heavy metallic sound.

An unimaginable sight was spreading there.

「Is this……the deepest level!?」

It was a vast dome shaped s.p.a.ce that was surrounded with hard metallic wall.

That place which was illuminated by light source overhead looked like the colosseum of the ancient era.

「……Is this place really the deepest level, La Cruche?」

Celis's question was only natural.

Their image regarding the Ruin's deepest level was a huge treasure warehouse.

And yet, don't mention ancient text or tool of ancient era, not even a part of Drag-Ride could be found here.

When they had walked until nearly the center of the s.p.a.ce, Relie watched the back of La Cruche with an expression that was a mix of bewilderment and anxiety.

「Is there some kind of mistake? Could it be, that your memory restoration faile──?」

「That's not true.」

La Cruche walked ahead. She then twirled around that caused her dress to flutter before answering.

Her height only reached until Lux's waist. She was a lovely girl that looked like little girl.

He didn't notice until now how the look of her eyes was covered with dark shadow.

「My memory restoration was a success. I remember everything. The thing that I should do is──」

La Cruche smiled and lifted her hand.

It was the smile of a predator that caught its prey into a trap.

「──getting rid of all of you, leaving not a single one alive.」

A shudder ran through Lux and everyone else. In that instant, the thick door behind them closed swiftly.

「Wha-……!?」

When everyone turned around, it was already too late.

The thick last door was firmly closed. In front of it there were the silhouettes of two figures wearing black robe.

「What are you doing? Listen to what I'm saying as the supervisor──」

When Lucifer was questioning her in panic, La Cruche bowed courteously.

「Master. I have the obligation to listen to your order. But that is not the top priority of the current me. As the Gear Leader of the Ark, I have to eliminate all of you, a family of the rebel who betrayed and overthrew my masters then invaded this place, and his comrades──」

La Cruche glared at Lux with naked animosity filling her gaze.

Several scenes were resurrected at Lux's mind seeing that gaze.

The inside of the s.h.i.+p that was destroyed and fell into ruin that they saw right after entering the Ruin.

And then, the Ragnarok that appeared from the Ruin, Poseidon.

Fresh traces of destruction that weren't from the war of ancient era, which appeared to come from the invasion of the old empire ten-odd years ago.

Did La Cruche traced back that memory, and because of that she considered Lux who had the same features as her opponent?

(But──a family of the rebel……she said, what does she mean? Is there someone else other than me and the imperial family?)

He didn't understand.

Lux had no way of knowing about the truth of the old empire that had continued for several hundred years.

But, the footsteps of two people approaching from behind pulled Lux back into reality.

What existed ahead of his gaze when he turned around were two figures clad in robe.

The figure walking at the front pulled off her hood and showed her face.

It was a girl with s.h.i.+ning silver hair and asymmetrically colored eyes──Hayes.

「The negotiation breakdown huh, prince. No, you were moving like an idiot and carried out my objective just like I planned, so perhaps I ought to say thanks to you instead?」

「You──!?」

Lux who confirmed her ident.i.ty muttered with a groan.

Why did the girl who told him to open the door at the afternoon was here?

She specified the time period and told him that he had to follow it was a trap.

Although he was threatened, Lux and others should have resistance of being made to open the last door just as Hayes ordered.

Hayes saw through that. She saw Lux and others were moving in the night and grasped their side's movement.

「You are on the wanted list of the new kingdom. Prepare your──」

「Celis-senpai!」

Celis who confirmed Hayes's existence faster than others a.s.saulted with Lindwurm.

She unleashed a stab of her special armament the large spear, in high speed. ──But,

*BAs.h.i.+N!*

「Wha-……!?」

Celis unleashed a lunge with her large spear through the shortest motion, but her eyes opened wide in shock.

The other robed figure stood in front of Hayes faster than the tip of the spear could hit.

The spear was blocked.

The attack of the lance that could pierce Abyss and destroy even fellow Drag-Ride without difficulty was stopped by a slender robed human.

The robe fluttered, the figure didn't overlook the opening when Celis stiffened because of the hard to believe reality.

*DOGUH!*

「Kuh……!」

Celis retreated for ten-odd mel from receiving the punch attack.

Celis had quickly strengthened the output of her barrier to block the punch, but the flow of her offense was completely severed.

「As expected from the honor student's leader, even your surprise attack is beautiful. Just discharge your specialty electric attack and burn your cute junior black already.」

「You are, don't tell me──?」

Celis didn't respond to Hayes's provocation and focused instead on the hooded figure before her eyes.

The figure threw away the robe that was turned into sc.r.a.p rag from the impact which made clear her ident.i.ty.

「Phi, luffy……?」

Lux muttered reflexively.

「Wh, y……」

Relie was also dumbfounded and stood still in place. The remaining members were also speechless from the revelation.

His childhood friend's expression looked hollow and shadowed.

Philuffy who should be waiting in the boardinghouse for their return was right there.

「Why is that natural airhead here!? Besides──」

「Aa, I forgot to say, but if this woman continue to oppose the order of Yggdrasil, the Ragnarok that I'm controlling, she will die. But see, it's also possible to give powerful order signal that leave no room for opposition and make her listen if Yggdrasil devotes its strength for that.」

Lux sent a sharp gaze at Hayes who was talking with ridiculing tone.

「……So you mean, that you were toying with us right from the start?」

「You only notice it this late? Is what I want to say but──this is also within my calculation. Everything, including toying with you guys is nothing more than a part of it. Well no matter, I'm grateful that you open this door for me you know?」

Hayes walked with brisk footsteps that echoed on the metal floor. She pa.s.sed through the side of Lux and others and headed to inside from the center.

It was the best chance to strike at her, but because Philuffy was following closely behind her, they couldn't move.

A huge crystal the size of a human head was being held under Hayes's arm.

「Now then, from here on just me alone will be sufficient. Thanks for your hard work, false prince and his hangers-on.」

The moment Hayes lifted up her hand toward the wall surface, the wall moved like puzzle pieces and she entered inside.

「You guys must be coming here a step ahead planning to outwit me, but your expectation missed. After all, your shallow thinking is like an open book for me.」

Before the door of the strange room closed, Hayes looked back and laughed.

「But, it's fine right? Your childhood friend is a wonderful girl. Originally it's hard to find a body that Yggdrasil's Ratatoskr can adapt to──but she showed the greatest adaptability, she is an excellent monster. Even though she should be really usable as battle strength, but you didn't notice anything, and her big sister the headmaster also only kept her hidden.」

Lux who heard that clenched his fist tightly.

「That's why you are a complete failure. You don't use a useful p.a.w.n, you don't understand the way to use people. As someone who is similarly standing at the top I'll give you a lesson──about how to use a useful p.a.w.n!」

Hayes opened both her eyes wide in a flash and took out a horn flute from her pocket.

It was the Origin Variety horn flute that Fugil said was controlling the Ragnarok.

She put it on her mouth and strongly blew into it.

『Philuffy Aingram! Exterminate the all the low born there! When you finished with that, you can be free you know, HAHAHAHA!』

Right after that gyrating noise, a commanding voice echoed inside the dome.

And then Hayes vanished behind the door along with a callous laugh.

「That d.a.m.ned low-life……! Giving such command──」

Lisha gritted her teeth hard while groaning.

Lux and also everyone else understood the meaning of that evil command.

In the case that everyone there couldn't kill Philuffy and she killed everyone instead, then surely Philuffy too would suicide after that.

It was Hayes's evil design that was antic.i.p.ating until that far.

「Nothing will begin even if we complained. Can the door to outside get opened?」

With a conflicted face Celis looked toward Krulcifer beside her.

「I don't know. But──」

「I won't let you, master. In any case, if I the Gear Leader don't cooperate, you all won't be able to get out from here.」

La Cruche stood in their way and she waved her finger lightly like a conductor baton.

Instantly three Drag Rides came down before Lux's eyes along with a faint light.

「This is──!?」

「Start On」

The three Wyvern deployed at the same time with La Cruche's shout.

But, the Drag-Rides didn't have any human piloting it.

In exchange there was strange puppet made from metal placed in them.

「That's──!? Puppet!? Something like unmanned Drag-Ride, I've never even hea──」

Lisha raised a bewildered voice. At the same time those three Drag-Rides brandished a large blade and flew toward Lux.

Lux who was wearing Wyvern immediately blocked with his blade.

At the same time when the battle began, there was a small sound of blade being unsheathed from behind him.

Philuffy was pulling out her short sword type Sword Device with s.h.i.+ning pair of eyes.

She readied the sword before her eyes and quickly spoke the pa.s.scode.

「──Activate. The star breaker, the end piercer, G.o.dslaying giant dragon. Release the fangs of a hundred head and kill the almighty, Typhoon.」

It was an empty and dark voice that was completely different from the usual Philuffy.

And then, her face that was tinged with crazed delight gave fear to everyone there.

Should they persuade her? Took shelter? Or restrained her?

A huge violet dragon was summoned and connected to the summoner, s.n.a.t.c.hing even the time to feel hesitation.

Philuffy's golden pupils s.h.i.+ned, red pattern was emerging on her skin. She took her stance while smiling.

The selection members with Celis at the lead faced her from the front. Their expression tensed.

「Celis-san……, Philuffy is……」

「Yes, I understand.」

Celis gave a small nod toward Relie's pleading. She then looked toward Krulcifer and others behind her.

「Everyone! We will restrain her. Then as soon as we succeed doing that, we will reinforce Lux.」

「Yes!」

Lisha and others nodded wearing their Drag-Ride. At the same time Philuffy's Typhoon skated forward.

Part 5

「Kuh……!」

Lux moved to the position of the wall where Hayes vanished while fighting the three Drag-Rides.

Fortunately the unmanned Drag-Rides weren't that strong.

But, their movement pattern was clearly different from human. Their movement was hard to read.

「How long you are planning to run away?」

La Cruche asked with a robotic tone that was unique to a puppet mixed with s.a.d.i.s.tic smile.

Most likely she was controlling the Drag-Rides using her thought in place of pilot.

「It looks like you are getting pushed back, but you still have composure. Are you not defeating them because you are waiting for the chance to bring down with certainty?」

Lux didn't answer La Cruche's question.

If he got serious then he could destroy his opponent with Critical Hit, but if he did that there was the possibility that La Cruche would call for a fresh reinforcement.

「I see, you are quite clever. You are pretending to avoid your opponent's attack continuously──while aiming at me.」

Lux shook off the unmanned Drag-Rides. Then when he fixed his aim at La Cruche,

「──But, that's your fatal mistake.」

*bachi-……!*

The Wyverns that he had completely dodged until now s.h.i.+ned and accelerated.

The three Drag-Rides made strange noise like creaking metal and they swung down their large sword.

「Nii-san-!?」

When Airi's voice resounded at the surrounding, the blades from the three smashed the solid floor.

「This movement──!?」

Lux barely reacted and dodged, but he was amazed with the three Drag-Rides.

Their driving force was clearly different from the performance of a normal Wyvern.

Was that because they were controlled by La Cruche and not by human hand, no──.

「Did you misread? Or else, did you not understand? The true form of these Drag-Rides──」

Right after that, light flickered and countless letters and images that looked like small window were floating around La Cruche.

The three Wyverns were also tinged with light as though in alignment. The string of letters s.h.i.+ned faintly orange and flowed from above to below in high speed.

*bashun!* Countless frame pa