Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Volume 11 Chapter 5

Episode 5 - Sacred Eclipse ─Gigas─

–

Part 1

The howl of the Abyss and the rumble of the ground resembled an ominous alarm.

The gigantic fortress shook vertically as though it was going to crumble. The vibration reverberated in the underground's second Drag-Ride hangar.

But, the attention of the two who confronted each other there wasn't diverted at all.

They were simply concentrating their whole attention at the existence of the opponent they ought to defeat who was standing in their way.

「Over Limit? That's strange, how can you use it when it's supposed to be a hidden code?」

More than ten ml ahead of Singlen who was smiling dubiously, Yato no Kami was standing with its shape transformation already finished.

Above the armor with peculiar form that resembled the armor of the nation of Koto, several more blades were sticking out.

Furthermore its distinctive four legs stretched to the back and front, taking shape as though its lower body was a horse.

From the special equipment type that excelled in various functions, it transformed into a shape that was more specialized for battle.

「Yes──that's true. This Over Limit is the true form that is liberated by my Divine Raiment, Spell Code. This is achieved not by going through the normal procedure.」

Normally, this form transformation was executed by undoing and exposing the hidden code to release the limiter.

However Yoruka used the forced control ability from her own Spell Code to reach until deep into the system and implemented the Over Limit.

Of course, Yoruka had tested this method many times since some time ago, and she also carried out its execution in real battle.

Against an opponent that handled special battle technique called SenjinBattle Array and used Leviathan with its Divine Raiment that combined offense and defense as one, even Yoruka and Yato no Kami would be at disadvantage. (TN: From now on I'll mention Singlen's technique name with j.a.panese words. Usually other character's skill or Drag-Ride weapon will have English name from the author, but Singlen's technique doesn't have anything like that. So I'll use j.a.panese name for them.)

This was a trump card for the sake of surpa.s.sing and killing the Blue Tyrant.

「I see, whether it's those useless three hidden techniques or this Over Limit, till the end you are going to imitate that ch.o.r.e prince. It's pitiful, both you whose incompetence only allow you to be used by a man of that degree, and also your future.」

Singlen glared at Yoruka with an arrogant att.i.tude that looked down on other people till the end.

In respond Yoruka didn't seem like she was angered at the slightest. Only her purple eyes s.h.i.+ned mysteriously.

「The secret medicine that Dragon Marauder used, Elixir. It seems to bring a supernatural strength temporarily for the user but──in order for the effect to become entrenched, it looks like that an operation called Baptism is necessary.」

「Hoo, what about it? Are you mocking yourself because even after obtaining such power, you are still unable to do anything against me until now?」

Singlen's exasperated words was responded by Yoruka with a fearless smile.

「The most I could do was making the effect to be entrenched into a mere three percent of my whole body, but thanks to that this eye become able to see something really good. Not only it can perceive the wavelength of the opponent's consciousness, I can also understand the subtlety of their heart somehow. That's including how you actually are really cautious about the matter of Aruji-sama──」

Even when Yoruka pointed that out, Singlen's complexion didn't change at all.

He only kept putting on his bold smile and turned an eye that was filled with bottomless darkness toward Yoruka.

「Ha-ha-ha. That's a great joke. Is this okay for you failure? The time you can fight is decreasing even now in that state right?」

「And then one more thing, you aren't a human aren't you? You give the same smell like me. You are harboring some kind of fatal defect, the smell of a broken thing is──」

……*GO-!*

The moment Yoruka said those words, water torrent was fired from Leviathan in violent speed.

Several streak of water that was unleashed like gigantic spears were evaded by the four legs of Yato no Kami.

Different from the previous four legs for the sake of moving to many directions, the current armored legs that was in the form suitable for charging pa.s.sed through the undulating water streams while succeeding in drawing near to Singlen.

Yoruka entered into the range, at the same time she raised up her katana shaped Blade and swung it down to Singlen's shoulder.

「Hmph」

But, Singlen scoffed. Right at that moment vortex of water stream surrounded Leviathan.

It wasn't a mere water, but a pile of ma.s.s that was dispatched by powerful force field.

If the water was dropped from high place, it would become hard like rock. Or if super pressure was applied to it, it would become water s.h.i.+eld that could divide even steel. Singlen defended using that──but,

「──That's naïve.」

The solid s.h.i.+eld of water stream was cut apart and even a part of his barrier was pierced through.

Singlen who had his double layered defense pierced blew away Yoruka using Howling Roar and took some distance.

「So, you achieved the movement of like the unity of rider and horse. That's your combat strength from that Over Limit.」

A knight on a horse displayed his strength by managing to put the horse's power and ma.s.s behind his own weapon.

Normal Drag-Ride was only moving by the user's control, but Yoruka was fighting with different usage method.

The back of the four legs unleashed an explosive propulsive force and kicked on the ground, that power was connected from the lower body to the upper body armor which was transmitted into the unleashed slash.

Thus she manifested a destructive power that surpa.s.sed the simple strengthening of Over Limit.

「As you know, it will be the end if you are touched directly, so please be careful.」

Yoruka who showed a devilish smile attacked further with her purple eyes s.h.i.+ning.

She avoided the attacks that Leviathan's Divine Raiment unleashed one after another and her blade finally reached.

*BIKII-!*, a line of scratch was carved on Leviathan's thick armor.

Yoruka delivered a surprise attack after making Singlen conscious of Spell Code. Without stopping she twirled around and her next hidden technique burst.

「──End Action.」

The consecutive attacks that were unleashed without even a single breath of gap in between due to the alternate use of mind control operation and body control operation, realizing an infinite consecutive attack.

Singlen put up a double layered guard of water stream and barrier, but Yoruka didn't pay that any mind and forcefully broke the defense from above.

After dozens of consecutive slash, that defensive state was finally broken and multiple slashes struck. Singlen was pushed into a hollow on the wall that looked like coffin which was there for putting a Drag-Ride in place.

「Haa, haa……──Howling Roar.」

Even with herself running of breath after a hundred consecutive attacks from End Action, Yoruka dealt another attack without break.

Countless rubbles further fell from above Leviathan that was buried into the smashed wall, burying it.

But, even after dealing that many attack, it couldn't be said that Singlen was cornered.

That was because Leviathan was always covered by a membrane of water from its Divine Raiment Leaning, preventing lethal damage.

(Then──. I have to let out a power that cannot be blocked by s.h.i.+eld of water.)

Like that, Yoruka took distance in order to gather strength for sure-kill attack. At that moment, her devilish eye that received Baptism read a disquieting wavelength.

A line of death that pierced the left part of Yoruka's body.

She began to leap to the right reflexively, but she didn't make it.

*KINN!*, when the high pitched sound of slicing wind that felt piercing to eardrum could be heard, the attack was already over.

「Wh, at? This is──」

*Pakiri*, with that sound, the armor of Mythrildite was lopped off as though it had been severed by sharp blade.

The water slash Singlen unleashed accomplished that from a distance of 50 ml at minimum.

「s.h.i.+n Senjin GoukaTrue Battle Array Aeon Fire──Mizuchi.」(TN: Mizuchi = mythical dragon-like beast)

Yato no Kami's left armored arm and one front leg were severed, but the rests was safe.

But, that power easily cut apart the barrier that although wasn't deployed in maximum strength, but it was in a strengthened state from Over Limit.

Singlen's battle technique that made practical use of tuning──focusing energy into one point, Senjin - GoukaBattle Array - Aeon Fire was thoroughly a technique of direct attack using weapon.

But, the attack just now was a blade slash from pure water stream.

「s.h.i.+n Senjin……? Is that a technique that put even one's own Divine Raiment under the control of tuning?」

Used in conjunction with the Divine Raiment of Leviathan that manipulated water, the energy of Drag-Ride and the energy of Divine Raiment were combined to form a slash that was concentrated to a point.

The water blade that was generated from that cut apart a firing range of dozens of ml with overwhelming power.

Because Yoruka was taking quite far distance, she escaped from direct hit to her flesh body, but seeing how her barrier and armor were useless, it showed that the power of the attack was something that was impossible to defend no matter how much she struggled.

「It's, enough already……」

The piled up rubbles were smashed gravelly and Singlen stood up.

He directed that jet black empty eye with unseen bottom toward Yoruka along with a pitying smile.

「It has been a long time since I faced an opponent with some fight in them. I went along with you thinking that it might be a nice warm up before the battle against that man but──this is no good huh. It's too dangerous to play around with you.」

「……Looks like I'm being belittled. Even though I too still haven't showed my full strength too.」

「In that case don't be stingy and show it to me right away. Otherwise──you are going to die here.」

Singlen grinned, at the same time rain poured down from the ceiling due to Leaning.

It wasn't a heavy rain that was endowed with force like bullet, but a normal rain.

(It's not an attack from above? Then why──rain is pouring down?)

When Yoruka was about to ponder about that fact, Leviathan charged forward.

「s.h.i.+n Senjin MidzukiTrue Battle Array Moon Reflection──AmikiriWeb Cut」

A water blade was fired at the same time with the slash of Singlen's huge Blade. Yoruka dodged while backing away.

In order to not get hit directly again by s.h.i.+n Senjin Gouka just now, Yoruka laid a trap and observed for a chance to counterattack in order to not overlook the activation of the technique.

──But, before Yoruka's aim could produce result, the inside of the underground hangar became even darker.

The number of the remaining torch was decreased because of the water hitting them.

At the same time, because of the thick fog that was covering the surrounding, the field of vision became overwhelmingly worse.

「You are using too much water. In a situation where sight is not working──Yato no Kami that can use camouflage has the advantage.」

「Is that so? Then try it. That's if you can.」

Yoruka grasped Singlen's position with her radar and slashed at Leviathan's side.

A surprise attack using the darkness and mist.

But, her slash cut through empty air utterly. She slashed once more at her opponent's blind spot.

However the result was the same. She was dodged, or parried with sword. The result was only the armor of Yato no Kami getting even more broken.

(How, can this be? Even though I should have concealed my presence the best I can──)

Why Singlen who shouldn't have radar was able to completely predict her movement? When Yoruka came to a standstill because she didn't understand the reason of that, a thrust of water stream shot out Yoruka.

She was sent flying to a wall that was dozen of ml away, but Yoruka didn't stop moving and escaped.

On the other hand Singlen didn't move at the slightest from his position while he was closing his eyes quietly.

「I don't think it's possible but, your so called seriousness is not about using the same trap the second time right?」

Singlen drew out his Sword Device and activated his Divine Raiment.

At the same time countless blade of water pillar that rose up from the whole hangar destroyed Yoruka's trump card.

「How, did you know?」

Yoruka stiffened with a dumbfounded expression.

The thick mist cleared up at that moment and Singlen showed his grinning face.

k.u.mo no Ito──it was a special armament that laid out unseen steel string at the surrounding, a trap that was laid around in order to be conductor for Spell Code. All of them were instantly cut apart.

Even though Singlen was inside dim darkness with thick mist filling the room, he cornered Yoruka accurately.

The rain had been pouring down all the time since before, but the rain itself didn't have any offensive power.

(Then──for what the rain is pouring? This rain……)

This place is an underground Drag-Ride hangar, so it was impossible for rain to happen here.

In other words, Leviathan was undoubtedly causing this rain.

When Yoruka wracked her brain regarding that fact, she noticed the true shape of s.h.i.+n Senjin Midzuki.

「Is it predicting and──grasping the situation from the Drag-Ride mechanical sound?」

Singlen's s.h.i.+n Senjin Midzuki that predicted the opponent's next action from the mechanical sound of Drag-Ride.

Normally it was performed by using Wire Tail that was directly touching the opponent's Drag-Ride, but when it was combined with Leviathan's Divine Raiment into s.h.i.+n Senjin Midzuki, it became a radar that detected the movement and presence at the surrounding from the sound that was reflected by the pouring rain.

Thus this rain spied out Yoruka's location and action, at the same time it also saw through the k.u.mo no Ito that was secretly laid out.

「Nice prediction. But this is over. In the end──you are unable to even accomplish your earnest desire as a heartless tool. You chose the wrong hand to wield you.」

Singlen laughed. Right after that, *clatter clatter* Yato no Kami's frame was starting to creak.

She was close to run out of steam due to the energy consumption of Over Limit.

She also couldn't think of an idea to overcome Senjin.

Her prediction before the battle, that she had thirty percent chance to defeat Singlen if she risked her life was off.

Yoruka herself was called as inhuman devil, but this man was also a monster.

Even while she was feeling the premonition of defeat, she was thinking of a method to at least take him together with her.

Because she who wasn't a human could only do something like this.

Because Yoruka herself who was unable to answer Lux's wish as human could only accomplish her mission as tool like this.

Because she had no heart, no matter how much Lux treated her as human, she wouldn't be able to meet his expectation, that was why──.

However, if it was the way to connect with other as tool, then even she who wasn't a human was able to understand it.

Useful thing had a value to be placed in someone's side.

That was the only relations.h.i.+p with other people that Yoruka could comprehend.

『That Sword Device is something really important for you isn't it?』

「Yes──that's right.」

Yoruka suddenly let slipped a smile at the sensation of Sword Device that she had grasped when she noticed.

A tool for the sake of accomplis.h.i.+ng her objective.

If that was the case──there was no way it would be let go till the very end.

「If you have that much power, then why are you trying to make use of Aruji-sama?」

Yoruka asked with a calm and composed att.i.tude even while listening to the scream of her own body.

In respond Singlen turned a dark eye toward Yoruka with disinterested look.

「I'm only moving the necessary piece for my objective. It's something that you who became a tool through your own wish will never understand no matter what.」

「Then, it's unnecessary to feel hesitation to get rid of you. With this I now have no duty to keep you alive for the sake of Aruji-sama.」

「What?」

The moment Singlen showed a dubious face, the remaining three legs of Yato no Kami moved and closed in from the front without any sound.

「──Instant Strike」

Yoruka's attack that read the gap when the consciousness cut off and was launched within the instantaneous timing.

Because it took advantage of the unconsciousness, originally it should be a special move that was impossible to defend, even so she preserved the technique until now in order to not let Singlen prepared countermeasure.

Leviathan's movement should stop for an instant with a slash that struck the shoulder where the Force Core was stored.

She would cut the armor with a returning slash, activated Spell Code, and put the Drag-Ride under control.

That was the strategy that Yoruka pictured but──when she slashed the wet shoulder armor, a strange out of place sensation traveled through Yoruka's body.

「s.h.i.+n Senjin OudoTrue Battle Array Royal Domain── TsuchigumoEarth Spider」

Water membrane was covering his armor.

Leviathan's armor wasn't just wet, a water barrier to disperse impact was constantly laid out on it.

It didn't matter even if she attacked during Singlen's unconsciousness, because the defensive membrane had been put up since the very beginning.

It slightly lessened the force of Yoruka's sword, making it unable to stop Leviathan's movement.

After dealing a focused sure-kill attack, this time it was Yoruka's Yato no Kami that was exposing a fatal opening.

「Leave your master to me. Thanks for all the hard work.」

Singlen swung down his great sword with a grin that was convinced of his victory.

At that moment, the tip of a blade pierced Singlen's left chest.

「Wh, at……?」

「You are too careless. You are within my range you know?」

Yoruka with her s.h.i.+ning purple iris smiled bewitchingly and put more strength.

Right after that, even Yato no Kami that she wore also raised up its Blade overhead, and then it unleashed an attack that made the frame creaked.

「──Recoil Burst!」

Right after her words, the super powerful attack struck from zero distance.

The Blade pierced the air, blew away the remaining water wall, and made the Force Core on the shoulder to be exposed along with Leviathan's armor.

「Gu, a……!」

A hoa.r.s.e groan was wrung out from Singlen's throat and he was blown away by the impact.

The hangar's wreckages and rubbles got dragged by his flight and then he collided on the wall that was a few dozen ml away.

The white of Singlen's eye was showing with a Sword Device staying stabbed in his chest, and he expired.

「……Haah! Haah!」

Yoruka was running out of breath, at the same time the Over Limit was dispelled.

The thick mist that was filling the underground hangar and also the pouring rain were vanis.h.i.+ng when she noticed.

At the same time a drip of blood was trickling from the corner of Yoruka's lips.

Because of Over Limit, the burden on Yoruka's body was beyond measure. And like that she unleashed Recoil Burst from super close distance.

She received the aftershock from the powerful impact that smashed apart the enemy's Divine Drag-Ride from nearby. Yoruka herself was also wobbling on her feet, but,

「This fight, is settled now.」

She killed Singlen who was laying many traps in order to make use of Lux as disposable piece.

After removing this obstacle that might be the greatest of them all, it wouldn't be an exaggeration even if it was said that she had fulfilled the contract that she exchanged with the emperor of the old empire.

But, it was fortunate that her life was still remaining.

In order to win in this battle that revolved around Avalon, she still had to fight for Lux's sake.

That man called Fugil was the first imperial prince of the old empire, but she heard that he actually was a man of unknown ident.i.ty.

It might also be necessary someday to question even that man who was serving as the general of the Lord.

Because even if the right of inheritance of the past belonged to Fugil, Yoruka had already decided that she would serve only Lux.

「How strange. For someone who is not a human like me, to think of such thing──」

As expected she couldn't hide her exhaustion from showing on her face. Like that she unintentionally slipped out a self-depreciating chuckle.

Before she knew it, she had decided to serve under someone regardless of her own code.

Even though she let herself be employed as royal guard under a contract for her little brother who picked up herself who was unable to have any kind of desire and attachment, right now──.

*PAKIi-!*

A sound that was like the snap of a dry wood caused Yoruka to return to her senses right away.

When she turned her gaze, Singlen who was blown away until the wall of the hangar was lifting up his body from inside the rubbles.

He pulled out the Sword Device of Yato no Kami that stabbed into his heart, then he carelessly tossed it away.

「It's a shame, a.s.sa.s.sin Blade. I'll retract my previous statement. You are really something. If I am a human──I would definitely die from that.」

Singlen lifted up the corner of his lips into a smirk and grasped the Sword Device of Leviathan.

At the same time, he summoned a new additional armament. The broken armor pieces were reconstructed along with a force field, forming up an armor that was covering his body once more.

「How!? The destroyed Drag-Ride is──!?」

「SlytLithograph of Counterfeit……the other special armament of Leviathan. As long as the Sword Device still at least remain, the armor can be regenerated just once. Although after using this, it will become unusable for a while.」

Yoruka was breathing hard with heaving shoulders. She was sweating while merely watching that.

She who had no emotion felt no fear.

But, a hopeless situation was blocking her way.

Something even more terrifying than the resurrection of Divine Drag-Ride Leviathan.

That was the jet black eye socket behind the taken off eye patch covering Singlen's left eye. Black pattern was covering his left body side from there.

That appearance was the same like the Devil that used Elixir──but, he wasn't using Elixir itself.

In other words, this was Singlen's power from Eilxir taking hold into his body through Baptism.

A certain quality was necessary just to make Elixir becoming entrenched into the body, and the Baptism would torment the target with immense anguish and side effect.

After such procedure that was like a curse was applied to someone, their strength would be raised in exchange of their lifespan.

「How shocking. Forget about being the same like me, you are a monster that far surpa.s.sed that──. Your young look and height, those are because the effect of Baptism which was applied on half your body stopping your growth isn't it?」

「Ku-ku—ku, what a really rude woman. But you did well. In respect to that determination, I'll let you depart from this world painlessly.」

Instantly, Yoruka picked up the tossed away Sword Device of Yato no Kami using k.u.mo no Ito and tried to leap backward.

Right after that, faster than Yoruka who should be jumping back in full speed, Singlen leaped forward with his Blade raised overhead.

「s.h.i.+n Senjin KamuiTrue Battle Array G.o.d's Might──AkuroRoad of Evil」

Using Leviathan's Divine Raiment, it increased one's own propulsive force using water stream and doubled the force of the charge.

Its foundation was the release of basic braking mechanism using tuning.

In order to avoid burden to the user, the range of the frame's mobility and action was reduced by the mobility restriction.

Releasing all those restrictions and putting additional armor on the Drag-Ride was Over Limit, but Singlen here executed a falsely similar act even though the result was a level below Over Limit.

If that was all, then Over Limit was obviously stronger, but,

(This is, he is controlling his own armor like puppet using water stream to give himself a push, increasing the strength even more……!)

By combining s.h.i.+n Senjin and Divine Raiment Leaning, it produced water stream that was used to give a boost to Leviathan's movement and doubled its strength.

The impact and after-effect from doing that should put abnormal damage and burden to the user, but because Singlen was strengthened with Baptism, he was able to endure it.

Yoruka barely endured against the offense of s.h.i.+n Senjin Kamui that possessed sure kill destructive power in each attack.

──But, her armor was mercilessly and emotionlessly destroyed, and she was beaten like a bug whose wing was plucked off.

「Ka, hah……!」

Her Blade was destroyed, and with it the joint of her right arm snapped.

Water bullet that shot through her barrier broke her ribs. She vomited blood.

Blood was trickling from the left eye that she continued to overwork, making her unable to see.

The fingers that were gripping the control stick were crushed by impact.

The joint of her right ankle was washed away by water stream and twisted to wrong direction.

Broken armor piece stabbed her side, causing blood to spurt out.

But, she had no leeway to even writhe from the intense pain that burned her nerves.

Strength was leaving her whole body along with her senses. Cold water washed away her blood and her body temperature.

One portion of her limbs broke, blood was flowing from her closed left eye, and her whole body was soaked with blood due to all the cuts. Like that half of Yoruka's body sunk under the water along with Yato no Kami's wreckage, a smile on her lips.

(……I blundered, completely)

She had no more weapon remaining.

Even so a smile was tugged on her lips.

She barely kept her grip on her Sword Device with three fingers that weren't broken, and she gazed at Singlen with her remaining eye.

「──Farewell strong warrior. Pray that you will be reborn as human in the next world and die.」

Singlen lifted up his Blade from a distance to perform the last rite for Yoruka.

Yoruka thought while feeling the final moment of her life.

She had done what she could.

This time she could die as tool for sure, fulfilling her earnest desire.

Even though she should be satisfied with just that, she felt a guilty feeling somewhere within herself.

If she died protecting the nation of Koto, what would her little brother who was left behind thought.

And then, Lux──what would he think.

「s.h.i.+n Senjin Gouka──Mizuchi.」

A water blade was fired along with Singlen's voice that told her demise.

*KIN-!*, a high pitched sound that cut through the air.

Just an instant before she could heard that sound, a gust of wind landed down in front of her.

–

「Guh……!」

But she only barely understood, that the dull groaning sound leaking out from a mouth didn't come from her.

Lux entered the underground hangar a few seconds before. He found Yoruka who was on the verge of death and his body moved at once.

He instantly understood that she was dying, and also that she was in a state that was impossible to ddoge or block Singlen's attack.

If he covered for her using himself as s.h.i.+eld, he might be taken down.

Without even any time to deeply calculated such thing, when he noticed he was standing in front of her.

──But, he was too optimistic.

The special move of Singlen who had unleashed the power of Baptism, s.h.i.+n Senjin Gouka──Mizuchi.

The water blade that was fired from the Blade severed through his barrier that was deployed in full power, the shockwave of Howling Roar he fired, and the armor he wore, tearing apart Lux's chest vertically.

His heart stopped from the bleeding and impact.

In other word it was instant death.

「Aruji, sama……?」

Yoruka called out to Lux's back, but there was no reply.

There wasn't even the sound of breathing coming from him.

「──Insolent man. Messing up the plan of this me like this, so his caliber is only half-baked like this after all.」

Along with an exasperated sigh, Singlen with his body that was wholly turned black displayed an eye with s.h.i.+ning crimson iris.

「His path is closed without being able to become either a hero or a ruler. That means that this is your limit.」

Singlen's murmur wouldn't reach Lux's ear anymore.

That fact struck Yoruka who was left behind alone.

「Why, is this……?」

The armor of Bahamut was dispelled and Lux collapsed backward. His body lied above Yoruka who was similarly lying down face up.

Both his eyes were shut quietly, his pulse had stopped completely.

「Why did you risked your life, for the sake of the likes of me? Even though I cannot repay you with anything, even though someone inhuman like me, can only be useful by obtaining battle result──」

She understood that there wouldn't be an answer to her question.

Even so Yoruka continued to form words piece by piece.

「……Aruji-sama, was completely mistaken.」

Yoruka suddenly let out a smile of resignation. She raised her upper body and leaned her back on a rubble, then she stared at the face of her dead master.

「Even though, you should just abandon someone useless like me right away. Even though I cannot, repay your favor with anything──」

The same like that time with her little brother, she was unable to spill even a trickle of tear.

In exchange, the tear of blood that flowed from her abused left eye trickled down her cheek and fell on Lux's chest.

She only embraced the corpse of her master along with a sweet despair enveloping her whole body, and raised a soundless wail.

–

Part 2

About the same time──outside at the vicinity of the first fortress.

Around the Garden.

Between the wasteland and the blue sky where a lot of Abyss were spreading out, a fierce fighting that no one knew when it would end was unfolding.

「s.h.i.+t! The number is too many! I'll take care of this place! First we will secure escape path!」

The commander Lisha raised her voice and gave instruction to the Triad.

The White Ridge knight order that was attracting the Abyss swarm was rallying themselves with the a.s.sistance of Zweigbergk, but in the first place they wouldn't be able to retreat if they couldn't break through the encirclement.

It seemed that Greifer and Coral were each facing Drag-Knight of Dragon Marauder. They had no leeway to a.s.sist them.

「SHAAAAAAAAAH……!」

「Don't, GET IN MY WAAAYYYYY──!」

Lisha raised a yell that sounded like a howl and bombarded a Gargoyle.

Even if they secured an escape path, there was no way they could start retreating until Lux returned back with Yoruka.

If they left the two alone smack dab in the middle of Abyss swarm, it was obvious what would be the result of that in the end.

「Good grief, in battle, everything won't go as expected huh!」

Because the new battle style that Lisha mastered would exhaust her completely in short time, she was unable to use it here.

A battle without Lux, Krulcifer, Celis, Philuffy, and Yoruka, was very difficult.

Lisha once more realized just how much help their existence was.

「But ──I cannot lose.」

Even while feeling despair from the Abysses that continued to appear from empty air one after another, she was unable to endure when she thought of the other girls.

She wasn't a princess who could only get protected.

She would also lead everyone in battle, with strength and skill as Drag-Knight.

Because that was her dignity as princess who Lux served, her objective.

「When this battle is over safely, I'll tell him properly! That's why, no matter how many powerful enemy there is around me, there is no way I'll get defeated hereeeee──!」

She suppressed the enemy movement with Suppressor's gravity field and then sniped them with Seven Heads.

While Lisha was continuously holding back the enemy desperately by repeating that attack many times, the Triad were also fighting behind her.

「Airi, please be careful. I'm searching the enemy with radar, but it will be troublesome if unseen Abyss is targeting us.」

Airi nodded briefly at Noct's words and hid herself behind the cover of a rock.

The intensity of the battle far surpa.s.sed the imagination, even so Noct was splitting her focus to protect Airi rather than securing escape path.

「Good grief──someone persistent is hated you know!?」

「Yeah, exactly. Lacking in consideration and restrain is also the same!」

Tillfur and Sharis each attempted to break through with Hammer and Breath Gun in their respective hands, but thing didn't really go well.

In a situation where a large swarm was surrounding from four directions, the energy consumption was too intense even if they fought the Abyss equally.

Airi was watching that deadly battle from behind a rock while feeling the suspense inside her heart.

(The Triad, they are already near their limit in using the strengthened type general purpose Drag-Ride.)

When Noct and others were training to use the strengthened type general purpose Drag-Ride, it was none other than Airi who was measuring their usage time limit.

Airi knew how in order to become the strength of Lux──and also the Academy, they acted like usual in surface, while behind the scene they were also continuing to work hard desperately.

Airi also knew how currently, those girls were gradually exceeding the limit of their stamina.

Even if they kept at it with willpower, it wouldn't continue for long. Their armor would be dispelled soon.

The Abyss's encirclement could be broken through with a bit more.

But, even though it would be just one more push, they were lacking a bit of firepower.

「Noct! You don't need to worry about me! Please go a.s.sist those two!」

「No. I cannot approve of that. I will be breaking my promise with Lux-san if Airi is exposed to danger.」

Noct was replying with a calm voice while battling an Abyss slightly to the front. But,

「We will be annihilated either way if we are unable to escape like this! If I'm only becoming a burden, I have the resolve to die!」

Noct who heard that yell showed a slightly pained look.

After worrying for a few moment, Noct took a deep breath and turned the back of her EX Drake toward Airi.

「Please forgive me Airi. I made you speak that much. That's because of our powerlessness.」

「It's the same for me. This is because I was unreasonable and asked to come along.」

When Airi smiled softly, Noct also slipped out a chuckle.

「Yes. You're right. Let's get scolded together later.」

Noct murmured that while simultaneously using EX Drake's Step. She began giving covering fire using her Cannon.

『Both of you please lure away the enemy! I will fire my remaining fire power.』

「Okkaayy!」

「Take care of it, Noct!」

Tillfur and Sharis who were battling Abyss with close range weapon in hand guessed Noct's intention with just that sentence.

No matter how much training they acc.u.mulated, the three's Drag-Ride apt.i.tude value, stamina, and technique wouldn't be a match with the members who could handle Divine Drag-Ride.

Then, in order to win battle using a strong point that was unique to only the three of them, they strengthened their coordination along with their personal training.

「GISHAAAAH!」

A swarm of flying type hissed while attacking. The two moved in the trajectory with shape of '8' and gathered them in one spot.

The moment around ten Abysses were gathered at their crossing point, Sharis and Tillfur raised their voice simultaneously.

「──Howling Roar!」

The vortex of shockwave that was filled with the power of strengthened type general purpose Drag-Ride pressured the swarm from left and right and stopped their movement.

Right after that, Noct launched a following attack from her Cannon without even a moment longer.

「GU, GYAAAAH……!」

The atmosphere was enveloped with flame blast and the Abysses were smashed apart along with the impact.

Even so as expected several Abysses survived from the attack.

The remaining Abysses were showered with swings from Hammer and Blade.

「Magnificent, everyone──」

With this an escape path was opened, and it became possible to retreat temporarily with Lisha and others and reorganized themselves.

After that it would be only Lux and Yoruka who were inside the first fortress that they had to worry about.

The Triad unintentionally relaxed their tension after throwing all their strength. In that moment, Airi felt unease on her body.

Her weight vanished and she felt like she was pulled to the air.

That moment when she floated high to the air, Airi was kidnapped by a Drag-Ride that flew with fierce speed from behind.

「──Airi-!?」

With a shocked expression Noct used Step and pursued, but she didn't reach.

「Wait!」

Sharis flew to chase after the unfamiliar saffron colored Drag-Ride, but at that moment her EX Wyvern was. .h.i.t by an invisible power that threw her to the ground.

「Uah!/」

Sharis turned a somersault with a short scream. Looking down at the three who were left behind, the masked girl left wordlessly.

「Be careful Sharis! It looks like she is using some kind of strange Divine Raiment!」

Tillfur also skated forward in the attempt of pursuit, but the figure of the kidnapper Drag-Knight vanished altogether with Airi.

At the opposite side of Lisha who was fighting hard a hundred ml behind, the three were left behind there while standing dumbfounded.

–

Part 3

Walls, floor, and even the ceiling were completely destroyed──inside the underground Drag-Ride hangar of the first fortress.

Just like the remaining torch that was faintly illuminating the darkness, Lux's life was also vanis.h.i.+ng out.

His consciousness that sunk into darkness could faintly hear the scream of the girl who was unable to find any word.

The sensation of blood dripping from the girl's left eye.

His body felt the warmth of the skin embracing him.

This was an inevitability that would visit him someday when he continued to risk his life recklessly and dangerously. He was finally brought down.

Rather, his luck was too good that he was safe until now.

(Airi……sorry. Even though I told you that I won't let you be alone──)

He felt pained for lying to his only little sister, for being unable to stay at the side of Lisha and others till the end.

However separated from that, he didn't feel the slightest regret for trying to save Yoruka until the very end.

There were many things in his mind at this verge of death.

But, right after that something hot permeated into Lux's chest.

And then suddenly the scene that he saw wasn't his memory with the girls, but a bizarre scene.

–

–

X   X   X   X   X   X

–

*Zazazaza-*, an image of memory that was covered with static like sandstorm was flowing into Lux.

It wasn't the phenomenon of recalling the past when dying, it felt like he was shown the memory of someone else.

He could see from overhead view, a strange s.p.a.ce that was surrounded by silver wall surface.

It was inside a facility that vaguely resembled the interior of Ruin.

At the center of that room that was surrounded by several unknown objects, an unfamiliar girl was standing.

The girl in dress was folding her arms with her back turned on him. She was talking as though speaking to someone.

「Your whole family including you, has a certain instinct imprinted into their genetic. A compet.i.tive factor was planted by the predecessor scientist in order for your family to grow into even more excellent existence. That factor is considered to bring out the aspect of overtaking and betraying other people from your family, and because of that all of you were persecuted. Even everyone of Xfer said that they will only have anything to do with us, the imperial family of Lord.」

Lux had no memory of this.

There was no girl with similar face like this girl among the imperial family of the old empire.

She was different from the first imperial princess Listelka and third imperial princess Hayes, but she certainly had distinctive silver hair like Arcadia family.

Even when Lux tried to throw a question, he was unable to make any words inside the image.

The girl wearing dress and flower crown quietly continued to talk as though doing it in Lux's place.

「Even so Fugil, you proved to me that it's a mistake. I will wait for you to wake up from having Baptism applied to your whole body. In order to change this world that is covered with dispute, this time for sure. I will complete the transforming Drag-Ride in this Avalon before you wake up.」

Looking closer, he could see that the girl was talking to a small black box.

Perhaps, that was a machine that was recording the girl's words.

And then.

For some reason the girl turned toward a wall and peered into a cylindrical water tank beside it.

Lux's eyes couldn't see clearly, but inside a slender body of a girl was floating.

「Sacred Eclipse is also near completion. I swear I will build something wonderful without fail before you are awake. In order to grant both our wish, to save someone else──」

The girl next went down a stair toward underground and opened the door of a room that was locked securely.

Inside, there was the figure of a young man that was entered inside a transparent huge metal box. He was undergoing a surgery by machine with his eyes closed all along.

(That's──Fugil, niisan!?)

When he saw until that point, a question emerged inside Lux.

The question was, from which age this scene came from?

(Did he come and enter the Ruin secretly since the era of old empire?)

No, Lux rethought, there was no way that was true.

Listelka Rei Arshalia who was a survivor from a few hundred years ago said that Sacred Eclipse existed since the past as a calamity that destroyed the world.

–

『I'll tell you one thing for the end, my foolish little brother. Since the beginning, I am not an imperial prince or anything of this empire.』

–

At the last day of the coup d'etat, his elder brother who betrayed him and murdered the emperor said that.

If his words were correct, then Fugil's true ident.i.ty──just what…….

The girl lovingly caressed the metal coffin where Fugil was sleeping, then she slowly turned around.

The moment the face of the girl became clear to Lux after turning around, a terrifying chill ran through him.

(What, the. This girl……!)

The face of that girl, he had recollection of it even though only faintly.

No, just now, a memory that should be forgotten was resurrected in his mind.

At the past seven years ago, when Lux went to Ries Island for a rescue there──.

This girl, appeared there.

「Uh, gu……!」

His voice slipped out, even though he couldn't feel his body at all until now, a headache a.s.saulted him.

His memory was muddy.

At that time, Philuffy should be died because she was unable to adapt to the seed of Ragnarok. The reason she was ressurected──was because of Sacred Eclipse.

That thing appeared before him along with light, and then to Philuffy who had stopped breathing──.

Lux recalled a part of his memory and his breathing stopped from feeling taken aback.

Before Lux's eyes, he could see once more the chalk white room that was surrounded by inorganic wall.

The girl was standing there. She was peering into the cylindrical water tank while talking somewhat caringly.

「The Sacred Eclipse that I and you created, will be drawn toward the heart of strong person, and grant salvation for only once. If their feeling is a pure wish, in order to grant it──Sacred Eclipse will grant strength, this Elixir」

When the silver haired girl that he had never even seen before smiled, Lux's consciousness was cut off with a snap from the scene he was watching.

Right after that, intense pain ran through the blackout, and his dim vision suddenly opened.

–

Part 4

「Aruji, sama……?」

When he opened his eyes, he could see the worn out Yoruka peering on Lux's face.

At the side, the silver haired girl that he had just seen inside the dream──no, something humanoid which really resembled that girl was standing there.

It was looking down on Lux while sporting a gentle smile that looked angelic.

The drop that was s.h.i.+ning in seven colors spilling from its fingertip was trickling down to the wound on Lux's chest.

「This is, Sacred Eclipse? Is it……? No, rather than that my──?」

Here Lux finally noticed how he should have died already.

The deep fissure that was carved on his chest had vanished when he became aware of it.

「What happened? This is──」

Yoruka also noticed Sacred Eclipse and murmured with an astonished expression, but Lux didn't understand anything.

At that time, Singlen who was standing arrogantly at some distance away suddenly let out his voice.

「Ha—ha-ha. This is interesting! I see, so it's a jackpot at this first and last time! This miniscule chance of the surface side of Sacred Eclipse performing revival, just like with me at that time!」

Singlen's crimson eye socket s.h.i.+ned while his body under the armor suit was dyed black and he yelled.

Lux and Yoruka became alert against that laughing voice that sounded like he was possessed, but Singlen only pressed on his face and continued to laugh.

「I was misjudging this guy. It was my eyes that were cloudy. What is necessary so one can be called hero isn't physical strength or even ingenuity. It's the heaven's decree at the critical moment when it counts! You accomplished the last miracle without intending it──or perhaps it's because of that foolish choice of trying to save everyone. In that case even without me using you, you will surely deliver your fang at the throat of that guy!」

Singlen spread his arms toward the sky and laughed loudly without suppressing down his mad excitement.

Right after that, the black pattern of devil transformation receded from his body. He returned to his usual form that was no different from human.

Lux and Yoruka were taken aback, even so their hand moved toward their Sword Device, it was then.

──*DOooOOON!*

A howl that sounded like rumbling ground thundered from above, the whole hangar shook fiercely.

「I see──now I have no more need to tame you to kill that guy. It's pointless even if I stay here. I'll lose my remaining pieces if I don't quickly a.s.sist them. I've broken that nasty lethal weapon too. I don't have anything to do here anymore.」

「Wait, you're going to run away after going this far?」

Singlen said that and turned around, but Lux called out to his back.

But, Singlen only turned around his head and returned back his usual dark eye glint.

「What did you plan to make me do!? Who do you want to kill!?」

Hearing the question that the agitated Lux spat out, Singlen's mouth warped into an arc.

「There is no time to have that talk here. Until you recover your memory──look forward to it in antic.i.p.ation. In exchange I'll teach you something good. That Sacred Eclipse which revived you, it will inverse to 『reverse side』 soon. Defeat it now that you are resurrected.」

Lux was shocked and looked at the Sacred Eclipse, then the shape of the beautiful silver haired girl transformed.

It looked injured as though its whole body was carved, its skin was carbonized as though flame had burned it, and its eyeb.a.l.l.s rotted and fell.

And then, its mouth formed a wide grin that was like crescent moon.

At the same time it unleashed a bottomless malicious killing intent toward mankind.

The last and greatest Ragnarok──the one that would guide the world to destruction was slowly starting to change.

「I'll be waiting, ch.o.r.e prince──no, Black Hero. You will understand the maning of my words someday. Including how this world won't change at all unless I accomplish what I have to do.」

Singlen only said that and rode the wave that Leviathan's Divine Raiment created. He withdrew from the underground Drag-Ride hangar.

Yoruka who was crouching in a dying state and Lux whose wound was healed were left behind.

And then, there was also the Sacred Eclipse that was carrying out an ominous transformation slowly.

Yoruka was watching that with only her blue right eye while her body wasn't stirring at the slightest.

With that, even Lux understood that she already didn't have even a sc.r.a.p of strength to resist.

「──Why, Aruji-sama came for the likes of me?」

She didn't try to look at Lux.

Yoruka merely muttering with a low voice as though she was talking to herself.

「Why did you secretly try to defeat Singlen? Surely someone at your level should have understand what will happen to you.」

Lux picked up his Sword Device that fell on the ground and silently sent his thought.

Perhaps thanks to the Elixir that was poured on him, not just his wound, even his stamina was recovered.

He summoned Bahamut once more. He might be able to fight against this Sacred Eclipse.

「Perhaps, I'm the same like that. Knowing that Yoruka is braving through danger in order to protect me, I was unable to leave you alone.」

When Lux showed such powerless smile, Yoruka quietly shook her head.

「Aruji-sama──really doesn't has eyes for evaluating people.」

Yoruka formed a resigned smile and objected like that to Lux.

「Putting your hand into fire in order to pick up a tool like me……, there is a limit even in making a stupid plan. Just for the sake of this kind of broken doll, that doesn't have any emotion or anything」

Yoruka sighed with a serious face seemingly exasperated.

Lux couldn't read her emotion.

Even so──what he should say as her master was decided.

「That's not true. I remembered about the time when Philuffy came back to life. At that time, Sacred Eclipse granted my wish.」

That scene that flowed into him along with Elixir──the action of that girl who looked the same with Sacred Eclipse, he still didn't understand what was the meaning of that.

However, there was just one thing that he was convinced about.

Just like how his wish once saved Philuffy, Sacred Eclipse also responded to Yoruka's hidden wish and saved Lux.

「Thanks to Yoruka's wish, I was saved. That's why, something like you being a tool without emotion, isn't true.」

Lux's smile looked persuasive.

Even so Yoruka's eyes wouldn't meet Lux.

She kept crouching beside Lux with a fleeting expression while listening to that.

Her broken fingers kept tightly grasping her Sword Device.

「That's right isn't it.」

She replied like that with a voice that was filled with emptiness.

「I am not a faithful tool or anything. I cannot even control a single emotion of mine. I'm just a poor excuse of human. Just like what my father told me once, I am a failure that is not human.」

Yoruka muttered indifferently without even self-torturing feeling mixed within her voice.

Even so Lux called to her.

「After the fight against Gigas, I was happy that Yoruka came for me. The old empire was destroyed completely without me being able to save anyone, but with that it felt like I was able to save it just for a bit.」

Yoruka's face didn't change even after hearing those words.

But, her shoulder shook just slightly.

「Yoruka. I'm not asking you who are a tool to become human. However, I don't want to use and throw away the human you like a disposable tool. Just like how you didn't let go of your katana, I need you, in order for me to keep being myself──」

「I am, Aruji-sama's……katana?」

Yoruka was half dumbfounded hearing those words. She stared at the Sword Device of Yato no Kami.

In order for her to become her little brother's servant, in order for her to persist in her contract, she didn't let go of this katana until the very end.

Even though she was unable to understand human's emotion, if it was a feeling about needing something then she could understand it.

In order for Lux to carry out his own belief, he saved Yoruka when she was his opponent, like that──.

「Besides, calling yourself a failure isn't right. Human, all of them are imperfect creature. Anyone no matter who will make mistake and hesitate. Even me, Lisha-sama, and also everyone else. That's why──it's fine for you to stay beside me.」

Saying that, Lux held out his hand toward Yoruka.

Yoruka hesitated for a moment, then she put her hand on that hand.

「──As you wish, Aruji-sama.」

The time between the two stopped for a few moments.

He could feel the warmth of Yoruka's blood as though it was showing her feeling for the first time.

*DOoOON!*

But, right after that the underground Drag-Ride hangar shook intensely.

Because of the fierce battle that happened here, the first fortress itself was starting to crumble.

The Sacred Eclipse that was already losing its human shape was also a concern, but first they should escape from here.

「Yoruka! We are getting out!」

Lux summoned Bahamut once more and quickly put it on as armor.

(──I can do this.)

Although the scar on his chest was remaining slightly, he could move perfectly.

It was slightly baffling why Lux didn't go through devil transformation like other people after getting Elixir poured on him, but there was no time to ponder it.

He carried Yoruka in his arms and escaped while avoiding the avalanche of rubbles.

Lisha and others said that they temporarily retreated to link up with the new kingdom army at the second fortress but──.

「──Lux-kun! Be careful!」

The moment Lux escaped to the sky near the Garden, Coral's voice came to him.

The Gargoyle and Chimera that attacked from left and right were killed instantly by Lisha and Greifer respectively.

「Lisha-sama and Coral!? And even Greifer!? Why──」

「It's troublesome, but this is also a duty of allied country yeah. More importantly……」

Greifer suddenly gazed at the front of Garden with sharp eyes.

Over there was the figure of a girl in dress whose eyes were covered with shadow──the main body of Sacred Eclipse. A swarm of more than a hundred Abyss was swirling around it.

「It's that thing! As expected that thing is calling Abyss here! No matter how many we defeat, the Abyss keep appearing one after another. If we don't destroy that Sacred Eclipse at least, even if we return to Cross Field like this──」

Lisha was glaring at the sky with her crimson eyes while breathing hard.

It seemed that Singlen's right hand man, Zweigberk was already leading the White Ridge knight order of Blackend Kingdom to retreat.

In exchange it seemed the Drag-Knights of new kingdom military were coming as reinforcement, but they might get annihilated right away if they came to this battle situation.

「But it's strange yeah? Where did those d.a.m.ned Dragon Marauder lot vanished into? Drakkhen also run away, the mysterious masked girl who Coral saw is also gone.」

Greifer grumbled with an annoyed tone.

Right behind him, there were the figures of Triad whose armors were dispelled because they had already surpa.s.sed their limit.

「Yes. My deepest apology. I detected their presence broadly until the middle, but their sign cut off somehow in the sky. Also Lux-san, even Airi got kidnapped──」

That report caused Lux's complexion to change and he stopped breathing.

Seeing Noct's figure that was gasping for air, it must be something that was outside her power.

Coral who was similarly anxious called to Lux who couldn't say anything.

「I'm sorry Lux-kun. If only I didn't let that masked Drag-Knight get away──」

「Right now that doesn't matter!」

Lisha lifted up her sword resolutely in respond to the dejected Coral.

「There isn't any time to feel frustrated about enemy's trap that we didn't notice! No matter what is the Dragon Marauder's objective, if they kidnapped the little sister, then they should contact us later for negotiating hostage!」

Lisha raised her voice to rouse up everyone there.

If Lux and others were swallowed by fear and despair here, the battle line would break.

If that happened, they wouldn't be able to save Airi either way.

「Thank you very much, Lisha-sama.」

Lux recovered his calm hearing her voice and said his thanks briefly. He then stared forward.

Certainly, if the enemy planned to kill Airi, they could easily do so.

For them to kidnap her meant that they had intention to make use of her for something.

「Even so, how are we going to fight this time? This situation is completely jumbled up I don't get what the h.e.l.l is going on.」

Greifer spoke casually while glaring at the Garden and the first fortress.

Certainly this time the motives of various forces were all mixed up.

Lux took a deep breath and quickly sorted out the situation in his mind.

Queen Raffi of the new kingdom requested Lux and Lisha to bury Grand Force inside the Garden so they wouldn't be suspected of secretly keeping it.

But, Singlen who saw through that made his White Ridge knight order to hide inside the Garden beforehand, laying a trap to catch Lux red handed.

Singlen's aim of grasping Lux's weakness to add him under his command ended in vain, but Dragon Marauder that was similarly hiding inside the Ruin s.n.a.t.c.hed away Grand Force and then they called a lot of Abyss.

The three division commanders of Dragon Marauder were all present, and then the Drag-Knight who were employing and cooperating with them──the masked girl also appeared and battled Coral.

Outside the Garden, Yoruka who was convinced of Singlen's scheme resolved herself to a.s.sa.s.sinate him and infiltrated the first fortress, but she failed.

When Lux came to save Yoruka, Sacred Eclipse appeared and then they escaped. But then a swarm of Abyss in the number that was incomparable from before appeared around the Sacred Eclipse.

After that, Zweigbergk led away White Ridge knight order and retreated. In this situation, Lux and others similarly had to escape from here.

But, if they didn't defeat Sacred Eclipse that showed up once more, they also couldn't go back to Cross Field like this.

Lisha turned around while breathing roughly from exhaustion and raised her voice.

「Either way, we have to defeat that monster at any cost. Can you fight, Lux!?」

「──Yes.」

In a situation where once again more than a hundred strong Abysses swarmed between the wasteland and blue sky, Lux nodded.

Right after that, the girl in dress standing far ahead──the Sacred Eclipse formed a wide grin on its mouth and came attacking with its flesh body.

Triad who had become unable to operate their Drag-Ride anymore went into standby at the rear.

The enemy presence was near, but they were applying first aid treatment to the wounded Yoruka during this time.

The remaining combat force, Lux, Lisha, Greifer, and Coral engaged the Sacred Eclipse.

「Hah! You look like a spoiled young lady, but you're quite the tomboy huh.」

Sacred Eclipse flew toward them as though running on the air. In respond Greifer wearing Cuelebre intercepted it and unleashed a slash in spiraling trajectory with his Tail Blade.

Using the blade of many joints, it was a powerful attack with a trajectory that was difficult to read.

Sacred Eclipse held its hand for defense, but the blade slipped through and suddenly split its head from the top into two.

Lux and Lisha opened their eyes widely seeing that brilliant performance.

But, beside them Coral gasped in surprise.

「Greifer! Don't let your guard down!」

「Ahaha, Greifer is really terrible.」

The Sacred Eclipse healed its wound while simultaneously changing its shape instantly. It created the shape of a different girl.

A girl wearing a dress with ornament that looked like piled up flower petals, with a golden tiara put on her brownish blond hair.

It was a girl that Lux once saw when he took Cla.s.s promotion exam in Vanheim Princ.i.p.ality, Greifer's master, princess Milmiette. Sacred Eclipse transformed into her appearance.

Even if someone understood in their mind that it was a fake, but if their important someone was right in front of their eyes, they would instinctively refuse to attack.

It might be a lag of an instant that was less than a second, but the moment Greifer's hand stopped, countless fleshy colored branches stabbed out from the whole body of Sacred Eclipse.

「──Photon Dive!」

The ability of invincibility of Cuelebre's Divine Raiment barely activated in time, repelling those countless branches.

「Wait Greifer! The enemy is right in the middle of those Abysses!」

Behind the Sacred Eclipse that was sent flying, the gathered Abysses that numbered nearly a hundred were standing by.

If Greifer threw himself into there, he would be safe for a few seconds, but after that there was a high possibility that he would be showered with concentrated fire.

But, Greifer didn't backdown even knowing the danger.

「Certainly that's true. But, if this monster is aiming for that then it's a really poor move yeah. Doesn't it know that reckless challenge is my hobby?」

In order to destroy the core of Sacred Eclipse here, Greifer closed in further and swung his Blade.

He cut apart the branches that were hard like steel and let out consecutive attacks in order to stab his blade into that heart.

「You are really cruel aren't you Greifer? Have you forgotten your grat.i.tude to me?」

Sacred Eclipse tried to shaken Greifer once more with Milmiette's appearance, but this time Greifer didn't falter.

He replied shortly while dealing an attack of his Blade at the same time.

「