Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Volume 15 Chapter 5

Episode 5 - ArtifactTransforming Drag-Ride 《Ouroboros》

–

Part 1

The sound of fireworks could be heard from early in the morning at the Royal Capital's castle town.

On the first day of the parade that celebrated the New Year, the royal family showed their faces from a horse carriage along with the soldiers' march.

Naturally Lux also escorted Lisha. It was decided that they would act together throughout the morning.

「Haaa, I'm tireeed……」

After finis.h.i.+ng the greeting to the people from the horse carriage that took a total of four hours and returning to the inn, Lux took off his coat and threw his body on the bed.

Inside the room, there was Airi who had also accompanied him during the marching parade, and Philuffy, who was riding behind them as a guard. In addition, even the Triad came to play.

「That's really slovenly, Nii-san. It's really astonis.h.i.+ng that the hero who saved the world is acting like this.」

Airi was also showing a slightly worn-out expression, and yet her back was still firmly straight while she was sitting on the sofa together with Noct.

「As expected, even Lux-kun looks beaten up. Though the mental fatigue seems to be more serious.」

「Ain't that riight. It's rare to see Lux-chi that tired after doing his usual ch.o.r.es.」

After Sharis concluded straightforwardly, Tillfur also poked fun at Lux in amus.e.m.e.nt.

「Yes. It can't be helped. After all, this kind of diplomatic exchange is Airi's field in the first place.」

「It's a daily trouble for me to settle down the various commotions that Nii-san causes in the Academy you know?」

After spending a relaxing time with the Triad, Airi, and Philuffy, a party with only the students of the Academy began in a large bar that Relie reserved exclusively for them.

There they extolled the victory where they wrested back the peace and shared their happiness with each other that everyone managed to return safe and sound.

Lux was surrounded by the girls due to the matter of the ch.o.r.e requests for him that were piling up and their wish to talk with him about his heroic tale at Avalon, but each time that happened the Triad and Airi skillfully managed the crowd. He was thankful to them for that.

「Come to think of it, I was worried during the parade. It looked like Yoruksan was searching the surroundings frequently with Yato no Kami though──」

When dusk arrived, several people headed back to their rooms in the inn and the number of students surrounding Lux finally began to decrease.

Then, Noct who was secretly approaching him whispered into his ear with a serious expression.

「Yes. It looked like she discovered some Drag-Knights who were acting suspicious. She wishes to talk with Lux-san regarding that──」

「Got it. I'll go to the toilet for a bit and then talk to her after that.」

This was a course of events that didn't happen previously. Now that he thought about it, he felt like Yoruka was also telling him that there was something nearby.

No, if he remembered correctly it was a discussion that took place after this.

According to Yoruka, there was the presence of someone approaching, so she left to check it out──

–

(…………? The presence of someone approaching? After this? Just what am I thinking?)

–

Was his mind in chaos after he was liberated from the tension of the New Years parade that finally arrived?

「That's fine but, please don't let Yoruksan do anything to Lux-san in the toilet…….. We are in the Royal Capital after all!」

「No way, it's impossible that anything like that would happen」, was something that Lux couldn't declare. He smiled wryly at that. Lux relieved himself in the toilet and washed his hands, then he headed out of the bar.

After walking for a bit, he arrived at an empty back alley. There he called Yoruka's name.

「Yoruka, you there?」

「Of course. I am always at Aruji-sama's side.」

The familiar eastern country's black outfit smoothly appeared from the shadows. Yoruka then bowed reverently.

As soon as the beautiful girl who was called the Empire's a.s.sa.s.sin Blade appeared in front of Lux, her face burst into a bright smile instantly.

「Yoruka too, it would be better if you partic.i.p.ated in the party. You are a real help for guarding our surroundings like this but, at least──」

「That consideration is enough for me, Aruji-sama.」

The n.o.ble of the Old Empire faction called Waybra who raised the banner of revolt towards the New Kingdom.

If Celis's father, Dist, didn't tell him about the existence of such a suspicious man, it wouldn't even be necessary to be this vigilant.

But fortunately that threat had already pa.s.sed.

(……? The threat of Waybra has pa.s.sed? Why am I thinking like that? Even though both Yoruka and me haven't even seen that man's appearance──)

Lux was concentrating his awareness towards the girl before him even while thinking of such question.

First he gave words of thanks to Yoruka who had been guarding him and the others all this time from the shadows.

「I'm really thankful. I'll compensate it to you for sure when this parade is over. No. If it doesn't look like there will be any problem, then even now you can join the party──」

……*snap-!*

There was the snapping sound of someone stepping on a branch.

It was a faint sound that was mixed among the sounds of people coming and going from a distance, but Lux and Yoruka reacted immediately.

They stayed hiding under the building's shadow while their hands were on the handles of their Sword Devices. They held their breath while searching for the nearby presence.

「Yoruka? Just now, could it be──」

「Yes, it's obviously not the presence of an ally. But──it's strange.」

「Strange?」

Yoruka tilted her head while muttering with a serious face. Lux's face turned perplexed in response.

Then, without even replying back Yoruka started to walk as though she was weaving her way through the back alley.

She could only do that because it was impossible to summon Yato no Kami at the complicated and narrow path.

Lux who was concerned also followed behind her.

Then, she told him the answer with a small voice that was like an insect's chirp.

「The person noticed our alertness and withdrew──it doesn't look like that's the case. The person here came to observe Aruji-sama before getting called by someone and returned. It's something like that I think.」

「……What do you mean?」

It felt like the mystery was deepening further, but it seemed even Yoruka didn't know the full details of what transpired here.

While Lux was pondering, she pa.s.sed through the alley with a smooth motion.

And then, when she arrived at another alley with a dead-end, Yoruka stood still alone at that place.

「……No one, is there?」

「It seems so.」

Yoruka was staring at the empty alley while not making the slightest movement.

Seeing how her right hand kept hanging over her Sword Device, surely she was thinking that this situation was unnatural.

Her purple eye that received Baptism was tinged with glaring light. It was obvious that she was focusing all her concentration.

Furthermore she drew out her Sword Device and summoned Yato no Kami and used the radar of a special equipment type to start searching the surroundings.

「Yoruka!?」

「Aruji-sama, please stay behind me.」

For the time being Lux took cover just as Yoruka instructed, but after more than ten seconds──it seemed Yoruka didn't find anything in the end. She gave up and dispelled her armor.

「I searched every nook and cranny from the sky until the underground, but I am unable to find the actual enemy. My deepest apologies. Please grant me any punishment that Aruji-sama deems fit.」

「No, there is no need for that. Just, can you tell me what happened?」

Yoruka's expression seemed somewhat disappointed when she heard that there would be no punishment from Lux. Lux smiled wryly at that while asking her once more.

Then, perhaps Yoruka herself didn't have a full grasp of what happened, because she was reporting to him with an unusually perplexed expression.

「Speaking from the result, it was just my imagination. The man who seemed to be a spy probing into us suddenly cut out of contact here. Even Yato no Kami's radar didn't catch anything.」

「That is, certainly strange.」

Lux too believed that there was no way it was just their misunderstanding from the sound that they picked up just now.

It was also unthinkable that Yoruka, who excelled in her detection ability, would make such an elementary blunder.

In fact, someone was actually showing movement to spy on Lux and the others, but after that the person suddenly vanished.

When he put it into words like that it became even more confusing, but in reality that seemed to be what actually happened.

「……Eh? How did you know that the person just now was a man? If I remember right we didn't catch sight of his appearance──」

「That much can be known from the pace of his steps and the loudness of the sound when stepping on the stone road. If I have to say further, I can also somehow grasp which direction he would try to run.」

As expected from an a.s.sa.s.sin with an innate disposition of reading the opponent's breathing.

Lux was feeling astonishment at her prodigious talent once more while asking where the man was heading.

Then Yoruka sheathed her Sword Device and instantly answered with a graceful expression.

「Most likely towards the castle. Though there is still a lot of distance from here to there.」

Someone who came from the castle was trying to probe Lux.

Was he an underling of an influential person who was trying to put Lux under their banner just like Celis's father Dist said?

The possibility of that wasn't zero, but if that were the case then it was curious as to the reason why that person would turn back at the middle.

Was it a mere coincidence, or did something unexpected happen?

But, surely the answer wouldn't come out just from making a.s.sumptions like this when it was a situation where even Yoruka couldn't trace the footprints of the spy.

He could only keep this incomprehensible event in mind while going through the parade carefully.

「……I will watch the surroundings just in case. Aruji-sama, please return to the party.」

Yoruka prompted him like that with a carefree smile.

If it was the usual Lux, he might presume upon Yoruka's goodwill and follow her words.

However, right now, for some reason, he felt that her tone sounded somewhat lonely.

「Say, Yoruka. Do you want to look around the parade with me for a bit? It's not bright at this time, so I think I won't stand out that much.」

「……Is that alright?」

After a bit of pause, Yoruka's eyes widened in astonishment.

Lux spontaneously slipped out a smile at her novel behavior that was like a normal girl.

「Is that no good? I just want to try going around together with Yoruka.」

「Then, please allow me to accompany you. After all, if I'm at Aruji-sama's side, I feel like I'll be able to enjoy it.」

Lux's chest thumped hard seeing the graceful smile she showed him.

Usually Yoruka would be excessive with her skins.h.i.+p towards him in various ways, but exactly because of that, when she showed him her natural smile like this all of a sudden, she looked terribly lovely to him.

Whether it was her beautifully radiant black hair, and her glossy pink lips.

Her white nape and breast that peeked out from her provocative black outfit were also so bewitching that he would unconsciously gulp.

「Yoruka, is there anything that you want to eat? I'll treat you if you don't have any money.」

「It will be good if Aruji-sama will allow me to choose only from the food that you will partake of.」

She replied like that, so without any other choice Lux bought meat skewers and baked sweets that looked good at the food stalls.

Then, Yoruka lifted up her face like a chick that was pleading to be fed. She thrust out her well-shaped lips.

「Please, allow me to test if there is any poison. Can I receive just a bite?」

「Eh, ah……. Right.」

Her pair of eyes was silently looking down. Her usual bewitching allure was lowered down considerably, but in exchange now she looked like a pure innocent young girl with a lovely appearance that made him watch her in fascination.

It became a strange course of events somehow, but this action was really like Yoruka.

He never thought that her asking for only a part of his food would have this kind of meaning.

(More importantly, could it be that this situation……)

From Yoruka's point of view, this was an act that wasn't that strange. But Lux noticed that seen from the side, this was completely like a conversation between fellow lovers. He got embarra.s.sed from that.

──But, he couldn't go back from here.

(Wait, thinking carefully, isn't it difficult to feed someone with meat skewer!? It will be troubling if the skewer stabs, but──)

After worrying for a few seconds, Lux used his thumb and index finger to take off a piece of meat and brought it directly to Yoruka's mouth.

When his fingertips felt the elasticity of her soft lips, a bittersweet ache welled up inside him.

But, Yoruka didn't look bothered at all and put the meat inside her mouth and began to chew.

It seemed she didn't sense any poison because before long she swallowed the meat with a gulp.

「So, how is it──uwa」

「There is no poison in it. More importantly Aruji-sama, your finger will be burned if you grab the food with youe bare hands.」

Yoruka brought her lips closer to Lux's finger that was smeared with meat juice as though to cool it down using her saliva.

Like that she entangled her tongue around his finger and sucked until the second joint. Before long she slowly pulled her face back.

The soft sensation of the lips that were holding his finger.

The stickiness of saliva that was warmly enveloping his finger.

And then the smooth tongue stimulated his sense of touch, paralyzing his brain with strange pleasure.

The mere act of simply making her to taste for poison made him feel like his soul was going to slip out of his body.

「Then Aruji-sama. Can you allow me to test the baked sweets too? Or perhaps, just to make sure, I should ascertain the meat skewer once more──」

「E-, err……. Then one more ti──not that! As I thought, please try only the cheese cake!」

Lux rallied his reasoning that was almost melting and somehow endured through the temptation.

「Is that so? That's unfortunate.」

Yoruka muttered while looking somewhat disappointed. This time Lux presented her with a cheese cake.

Her lips nibbled at the tip of the yellow cake that had the shape of a triangle.

After chewing once more she swallowed, and then she replied to Lux while making a small nod.

「There is no problem. Please eat up without any worry.」

Yoruka's face flashed a bright smile. Lux nodded while feeling excited.

He noticed when eating the cake that it was an indirect kiss, but he ate it without getting too bothered about it.

「Yep, it's tasty. Thank you Yoruka.」

「There is no need to be considerate of me. I'm grateful to Aruji-sama for just spending your time with me like this.」

Yoruka smiled at Lux with her cheeks reddening looking somewhat intoxicated.

Her rare human gesture looked pretty under the Royal Capital's lighting.

「That's because I was lonely that I was unable to meet Yoruka until now. I know it was in order to protect me but, in that two weeks, it should have been alright if you showed yourself to me at least once──」

He knew that Airi and the Triad were making a bet whether Lux would notice or not, but it should be fine even if she wasn't that stiff.

When Lux said so while thinking that, Yoruka paused for a bit and before long she resolved herself and replied back.

「Actually about that case, I wished for it to be like that myself. Though it became exposed that they were keeping the secret for me.」

「Eh……?」

Lux spontaneously stopped walking at Yoruka's unexpected confession.

It was just the right timing when the flow of people at the surrounding was cut off. Countless street lights could be seen from above the overpa.s.s.

Lux's eyes were stolen by Yoruka's side profile amidst that fantastical scenery.

Her face had a somewhat lonely looking smile that he remembered seeing before in the middle of these three days of the parade.

「If I was alone with only Aruji-sama at that time, I wouldn't be able to suppress my feelings. That was why, I held back by only protecting Aruji-sama from a distance.」

The confession from the girl who claimed that she was just a tool.

Lux was completely dumbfounded at her asymmetrically colored eyes' gaze that was tinged with faint sorrow.

After her battle against Singlen, Yoruka who didn't possess emotions was harboring a certain special emotion, which she directed only towards her master, Lux.

She said that she might be in love with Lux.

She said that to him.

「But, it's a mistake for me who doesn't know the way for a human to love, to dream of being able to receive Aruji-sama's affection. And yet, for me to feel this much enjoyment just from getting invited by Aruji-sama like this──」

Was it, sympathy?

When he was looking at Yoruka, an emotion that was different from the impulse just now was making Lux's body feel hot.

(No, wrong. I am, towards Yoruka……)

All this time he was thinking that she was a human.

Certainly she possessed outstanding talent and a special working of the heart, but because of that she was feared and avoided by her surroundings.

–

『……I'm astonished. Something like that──to choose the path of destroying one's own country by one's own hands in order to save it. This is my terrible misunderstanding. Aruji-sama, from the start you are fighting all this time for the sake of the Arcadia Empire, aren't you? In order to make it come true, the ideal country that you dreamed of──』

–

It was just like those words Yoruka said once in the past.

Lux was considered as an enemy by the populace, even so as a prince of the Arcadia Empire, he tried all possible means in order to accomplish his mission.

Yoruka was accepting that she was a defective good. Even so she was trying to repay her little brother's feelings.

Lux wanted to save Yoruka not because he wanted recompense for his past where he was unable to save the imperial family of the Old Empire or anything like that, but because it was something that he personally wanted to do.

Her purity that was simply earnest, which no one was able to notice with just a glance.

Right now, Lux noticed that all this time he had been charmed by the beauty of that purity.

「I'm disqualified as a servant.」

「──It's fine. It doesn't matter even if you are disqualified.」

The self-depreciating statement that Yoruka spoke out was cut off by Lux's reply.

Those words didn't come from him thinking in response. When he noticed, his mouth already said that, as though those words directly came from his spinal cord.

「……Aruji, sama?」

Lux's face was reflected on Yoruka's eyes.

A smile was reflected there. A smile so gentle that it shocked even Lux.

「I don't think that you are disqualified or anything, and even if that's actually the case, I want Yoruka to stay at my side as a human. No matter what anyone says, no matter in what kind of form it will be, it's fine if you are by my side.」

Staking everything on one's own feelings and persisting in carrying that out through thick and thin.

The way Lux's heart worked was similar with Yoruka's.

However, his feelings towards her wasn't anything like sympathy.

He was in love with the beauty of this girl who was even purer than himself.

That was why──he wished that she would stay by his side.

Because Lux thought that he himself would be able to become strong with her at his side.

「Aruji-sama, you said something similar to my little brother again──」

With a soft footstep, Yoruka walked towards him with a movement that didn't make any sound.

Without even any time to react, Lux's lips were stolen in a flash.

The kiss from the younger girl was sweet. The gentle scent from her hair tickled his nose.

He was drunk in a pleasantness that didn't come from just a single spot of his body. It was as though even their hearts were connected.

They stayed still like that for more than ten seconds, where the hearts of the two were connected to each other.

When Yoruka's lips finally let go, her cheeks were dyed red and she was staring at him with a gaze that was melting in pa.s.sion.

「……I don't mind whether I'll only be second or third, as long as I can stay by the side of my beloved Aruji-sama. But──」

Yoruka paused for a moment, then she let out a chuckle and turned her back towards him.

「It will be great if Aruji-sama can find your first, or even your second and more. If possible we can test it here──」

「Hey, wait a second-!? This place is right in the middle of the capital you know!?」

Yoruka was saying that while she was going to flip up her white skirt. Lux returned to his senses seeing that and stopped her.

「My, we cannot? Holding back isn't good for the body, Aruji-sama.」

This time it was Lux who turned red at the whisper of Yoruka who was seeing through him.

Lux hurriedly pinched his own cheek so he wouldn't be washed away by his instinct that was starting to want this lovely servant.

「I, it's not like that. It's no good doing that in this kind of place! That's why──」

「Understood. Then Aruji-sama, please call me when it's a good time. I'll be waiting anytime.」

Lux lost his words hearing the reply that she said with her usual carefree smile.

If his criminal collar was taken off after the parade and Yoruka became his girlfriend, it was plain to see that it would be disaster if he didn't control himself in various things, but──

(Honestly, I'm not really confident that I'll be able to endure……!)

Even while he was worrying with a complicated feeling, Lux gently held Yoruka's hand and they returned together towards the bar.

Amidst their way back through the festival that was filled with happiness and excitement, Lux felt a p.r.i.c.kling pain in his chest.

He had betrayed someone while not noticing it.

Even though Lux didn't even understand what it was about, he was caught by such misapprehension.

It was strange.

Even though Yoruka should be the first girl who he wanted to be lovers with──

「Aruji-sama, is something the matter?」

Yoruka seemed to guess the inside of Lux's heart from his atmosphere. She was peering into his face.

「……It's nothing. Now, let's go back.」

Lux shook his head slightly and looked forward with a wry smile.

When he returned to the party together with Yoruka, the Triad and Airi made fun of him.

Like that, the long night was growing late full of liveliness.

–

In the end, where did the person who tried to approach Lux and Yoruka vanish to?

He wondered who sent that spy who came from the castle.

Sometimes he would be thinking about that, but he couldn't find the answer until the very end.

The first day of the parade finally reached the end.

–

Part 2

The second day of the New Years parade, at noon.

The band of the New Kingdom was welcoming the visitors' coaches at the castle gate.

The invitees were the state guests from seven countries.

The victory banquet of the sworn friends who cooperated with each other as the world alliance and saved the world would be held from noon.

Of course, they weren't called here just for the celebration.

It would also be a meeting to confirm that the existence of Aeril who became the center of Avalon was neutral. And it would also be a place to casually compare and adjust the direction of their plan from here on.

But, that would be the job of Queen Raffi and Prime Minister Nulph.

Lux was a Seven Dragon Paladin to the end, as a key figure who was contributing to the victory, many people requested to meet him.

In other words, Lux had to respectfully greet and thank the n.o.ble guests just like how he always was.

「──It has been a long time, your highness, Princess Milmiette.」

The representative of the Vanheim Princ.i.p.ality, the princess Milmiette who was wearing a light green dress greeted Lux with a smile.

He once had met her at the Drag-Knight's Cla.s.s promotion exam, so they knew each other's faces.

「Long time no see, Lux-dono. I was really in your debt for looking after the negligent and careless Greifer at that time.」

Her graceful smile that was like a flower looked more like a town girl rather than a n.o.ble, but that amiable atmosphere felt more comfortable for Lux instead.

「No, there wasn't anything like that. He is certainly always behaving sulkily, but in reality he is really serious and really takes good care of others──perhaps he is just shy, don't you think so?」

「…..That's what he said, Greifer. Isn't that great? It looks like you won't need to get scolded by me later.」

「──Wait, EEEEEH!?」

Right after Milmiette smiled, a blond haired young man who had a displeased expression appeared from inside the same coach.

Lux spoke honestly because he couldn't see Greifer's figure, and yet it was a trap that was set against him.

「Looks like we gotta talk for a bit with just the two of us huh, New Kingdom's knight-sama. I'm also relieved that you look really energetic yeah.」

「No, err, that……」

After showing an angry smile at the pale and bewildered Lux, Greifer headed into the castle first.

Milmiette who saw that bowed her head smilingly in front of Lux.

「Forgive him. Even though he looks like that, he isn't actually angry, so if possible please keep him company at the banquet too. He is going to be alone acting cold there anyway.」

「Ahaha……」

That scene easily surfaced in Lux's imagination and he smiled wryly.

He thought that he might have done something that he shouldn't do, but it seemed that it was just Milmiette's consideration in her own way.

After seeing off the coach going through the castle gate, he heard the footsteps of a girl who had already came down from the next coach.

「In the end he is just a child. What a troubling man, to be needing the princess to follow up for him like that.」

「──Ah.」

It was a tone that sounded n.o.ble and also confident.

The high pitched voice that still had a trace of childishness in it made Lux turn around.

There he found a girl with platinum hair wearing a chic black dress along with a cape above it.

The representative of the Ymir Theocracy. The youngest Seven Dragon Paladin, Mel Gizalut was standing before him. She was looking up at Lux who wasn't that tall.

「It has been a while, Onii-chan. It's great that you look healthy.」

「Thanks to you. Mel, too, is also looking alright. I'm relieved.」

Lux also replied back with a smile at the adorable girl's consideration.

She was a young girl with her thirteen years old age, but she possessed outstanding sense as a Drag-Knight. She used her small body to the very limit and fought through powerful enemies even at Avalon.

Her relations.h.i.+p with Krulcifer became on good terms through the incident at the Ymir Theocracy, and Krulcifer became her aide. Right now it was clear that the two of them had a good relations.h.i.+p as friends.

「Calling him Onii-chan like that, I wonder which one of us is the childish one……. Though I was a bit lost whether to make a retort or not.」

「Ah, Krulcifer-san──」

Lux turned around to the girl who got down from the coach next. But his breath got caught in his throat with a gasp.

A girl with a deep blue dress and blue hair that had a flower decoration attached on.

The figure of his cla.s.smate that was beautiful like a fairy caused Lux to reflexively watch her in fascination.

「What's the matter Lux-kun? Could it be that you forgot my face at this reunion after so long?」

The girl's hand slowly caressed the chest of the stiffened Lux.

When his chest was traced by her hand through the dress suit, an incomprehensible sensation ran through his back and his body s.h.i.+vered.

After watching Lux's state in enjoyment, Krulcifer closed the distance between them.

Her dress that was opened at the chest area entered his line of sight. His gaze was completely guided towards there.

「I think that my injury has healed, but I wonder if there was any mark left behind. I'm worried, so can you check it for me?」

「Err, that──I think it's fine. Your skin looks beautiful.」

Lux averted his gaze in panic and said that. Krulcifer made a mischievous looking flirtatious gaze and whispered.

「Is that so? Thank you. Lux-kun is gentlemanly towards a girl, but you are relatively thorough when staring. I can feel relieved if Lux-kun who is like that is telling me so. After all you are paying me so much attention like this.」

「Wai-, Krulcifer-san!?」

When Lux objected with reddened cheeks, she chuckled in delight.

「I'm joking. I'm so happy to be able to meet Lux-kun after so long that it unconsciously made me want to tease you. Forgive me.」

Lux too could only nod with a troubled look after she said it like that.

After so long──or rather, with Krulcifer's wiles that was getting increasingly polished, Lux could do nothing except getting toyed.

It was also the sad nature of man for him to also feel comfort from such thing.

「It doesn't look like there is anything to worry about if you can do this much in front of the castle gate. Good grief, just who is the child here.」

「Oi, both of you! How long you are planning to make me wait!? Everyone is just a child like this! How unbecoming!」

The pope of Ymir Theocracy who was still young, Nias got tired of waiting and his face popped out from the coach.

It seemed that because Mel and Krulcifer ran ahead, he missed his chance to make his greeting.

Lux hurriedly faced him and apologized for his impoliteness, then they were waiting inside the castle until the next n.o.ble visitor arrived.

Lux and the others went around to greet the sovereigns and their staffs while amusing themselves with reminiscent talk with their comrades in arms.

–

Part 3

A peaceful time pa.s.sed from noon until the evening. The night arrived before long.

In the middle, the members of Syvalles, Lisha and the others, also gathered, furthermore the entire Seven Dragon Paladins including Magialca and Singlen also partic.i.p.ated.

It seemed the state guests who were the members of the world alliance held a meeting in the middle, but it ended without any particular problem.

After that a party was held inside the castle, and they enjoyed luxurious cooking with relish.

「Lux, spend a bit of time with me. Re Plica isn't here so I'm quite free.」

Soffice was greedily devouring the dishes in her own pace while coming to his side.

At his opposite side, the drunk Rosa also came closer.

「Lux-samaa. If you also have some kind of order for me, please allow me to attend to you during my stay here no matter what……」

「Wai-m that's, your breast is touching. Don't entwine your arms that much……」

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

Magialca who was watching that from in front of him teased him with an indecent grin.

Greifer was staring at that with an exasperated face, while beside him Aeril was laughing.

Mel, who couldn't drink alcohol because of her age, seemed to be in a difficulty because a large pile of food was heaped up in front of her by Philuffy's kindness.

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

Even though they also fought that man after defeating the Lord faction.

'Come to think of it', when he was recalling that, he caught sight of Singlen's figure at the corner of the party.

Perhaps because he lost his confidant Zweigbergk, he was placing a beautiful woman wearing gla.s.ses who seemed to be the third in rank within the White Ridge knight order as a replacement. He was drinking wine silently.

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

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

「Kukuku, that guy also looks lonely huh. Yosh, this is the captain's order. Pour him wine if his gla.s.s becomes empty. It will be for the celebration of his exaggerated ambition falling apart.」

Magialca's lips curved and she instigated Lux.

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

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

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

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

Thinking that, Lux waited for the right timing before heading towards Singlen with a wine bottle in his hand.

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

「That's an admirable spirit to do ch.o.r.es even at a party. Not giving me even a single greeting until now, you have been acting importantly huh, hero-dono.」

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

Lux replied with an exasperated face, however Singlen laughed him down without any change in his att.i.tude.

「I'm talking about the previous party, you fool. It's laughable that you didn't even notice my existence until you got told by that upstart female fox.」

He wondered what Singlen meant by 'previous party'.

If he remembered correctly, the last party that he attended together with Singlen should be the one in the fortress at the abandoned capital Guernica.

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

「……Ha?」

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

It wasn't a problem with his tone or volume, his brain wasn't registering the words even though he could hear it.

Lux was captured by such incomprehensible feeling.

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

He couldn't understand what Singlen was talking about.

But, for some reason his words caught his attention. He couldn't just ignore it.

(Eerr──what should I do again?)

In the middle of the party, Lux suddenly noticed the weight in his hand.

A red wine bottle. He came here to pour wine for Singlen.

「Quickly pour it, ch.o.r.e boy. That's your job.」

「Haa, I understand.」

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

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

「──! Wha, what are you doing-!?」

「Eh……?」

The spectacled beauty who was sitting nearby yelled in surprise.

When Lux tilted his head without understanding just what was going on, Singlen's figure had vanished without him noticing.

It wasn't that Singlen had gone somewhere, it was as though he wasn't there from the beginning. There was only the floor there.

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

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

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

Lux was staring still at the floor where the wine spilled out while the master-student confrontation was happening at the side.

(What, is this. Something……is strange.)

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

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

Lisha who was looking drunk called out to Lux. Krulcifer also continued after her.

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

「Where did Sir Singlen go?」

When Lux addressed the woman from the White Ridge knight order, she pushed the bridge of her gla.s.ses up with one hand while looking up at Lux's face with suspicion.

「Even if you ask me that, in the first place master isn't coming to this party though.」

「What did you say……?」

「Just like I said, master has a trifling matter to take care of so he isn't partic.i.p.ating.」

「Kukuku, that guy. He is running away because he is scared of me needling him.」

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

When Magialca made fun of Singlen with a mean smile, the spectacled woman objected back.

The spark of argument burst out. At the side, Lux was feeling confusion as though his head was punched.

──Contradiction.

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

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

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

When Lux raised his face quickly and called Magialca's name, Magialca's figure also vanished from the party.

「Phi-chan. Where is Captain Magialca!?」

She should be in a quarrel with the woman from the White Ridge Knight Order just several seconds ago, but now he couldn't catch sight of her shadow.

When Lux talked to Philuffy beside him in panic, she lightly tilted her childish face and stated with surety.

「If it's master, she went somewhere just now. She said something like picking up the young men of the capital.」

Philuffy didn't seem to understand the meaning of the words that she said. Lux directed a conflicted gaze towards her, however he was convinced.

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

──A pool of blood.

The redness of the spilled wine that was spreading on the floor became a seed that made him recall a certain happening.

The figure of someone lying down on the ground with blood flowing was──

「Uh, gu……!」

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

Celis quickly supported him when he was unconsciously staggering.

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

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

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

Aeril who came from somewhere lent Lux her shoulder.

He left the party following her suggestion.

–

Part 4

「How are you feeling now, Lux-kun?」

「I'm fine. I'm feeling comfortable now. It might be fine even if I don't vomit……」

In the corridor on the second floor of the castle. Lux was feeling the wind at a place where he could see the atrium courtyard while smiling powerlessly.

For some reason his sight was attracted towards a spot in the courtyard, but he couldn't find anything strange there.

There was something there at the previous tomorrow on the last day of the parade though.

The mechanical puppet with the appearance of a girl and a man in a tailcoat suit who was murdered by it.

「Uh……!」

Lux was a.s.saulted by a strong dizziness and he staggered.

Then Aeril nestled close to him and kindly caressed his back.

「Don't force yourself. I'm right at your side.」

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

Aeril who was wearing a light green dress was ephemerally beautiful. The smooth sensation of her white glove felt pleasant.

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

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

(Why? Why is the moon's shape different from before? No, why am I noticing such things?)

Lux lost his words towards the mysterious feeling of uneasiness.

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

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

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

His awareness was pulled back by her voice. He stared hard at her charming figure.

She was wearing a small tiara on her head and a dress that had thin fabric above it.

And then the white gloves and tights on her arms and legs were enhancing the androgynous charm of Aeril's slender and well-proportioned body.

「Thank you. I'm satisfied today just from being able to hear Lux say that.」

Aeril was walking from the second floor corridor that was facing the courtyard towards the terrace that was jutting to outside.

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

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

Aeril who was standing out in the darkness looked so ephemerally beautiful that it made him speechless.

At the same time, the emotion welling up inside him constricted his chest.

When Lux noticed, he spoke out words of apology.

「More importantly, sorry──」

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

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

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

Before long it seemed she comprehended what Lux meant. She lowered her gaze and turned her back on him.

「──Lux-kun. You see, I'm thankful to you. Very much so, that no matter how many times I thank you it won't be enough. Because you were there, I was able to believe in the people of this era. I was able to head towards the path that I believe in.」

When Lux raised his head, Aeril was turning only her head to look at him. Her braided silver hair was fluttering in the dark night.

She was directing a sorrowful but peaceful smile towards Lux and continued her words whisperingly.

She originally had the standing as an imperial family of the ancient era──the Lords. Even so she thought of the world and saved Lux and the others.

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

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

「Aeril……」

Her kind smile and words soaked his wounded heart.

And then, the body warmth of the girl who was silently walking towards him lied on top of Lux.

「──I love you, Lux-kun.」

*Chu-*, her small lips were pressed tightly above Lux's lips.

The time was stopping inside the night scenery for a few seconds of bewildered shock.

「I love your kind side. I love how you are unable to overlook when there is someone troubled in front of you and fight for them without feeling scared of getting hurt. I also love how you are doing your best without even complaining at all, and how clumsy you are at various things. And your slightly indecent side too, if it's Lux-kun──I'll permit it.」

*Squeeze* Aeril put more strength into her arms that were entwined around his neck while expressing her feeling in rapid succession.

His heart was trembling by her pure and earnest feeling.

Lux's arms were reflexively going to embrace her──however, he was unable to.

「Eh?」

「──Geez, this is because my push is weak at the crucial timing. Even though it will be fine even if you lose to your desires for a bit more.」

Aeril smiled wryly while complaining with slight sulkiness.

Lux was receiving a sensation as though his chest was clamped hard when looking at her expression while trying to confess.

That he already had a love relations.h.i.+p with Yoruka.

And then, how he was feeling guilt even towards that fact itself.

It was like there was one more girl if he remembered correctly, a girl who he had told of his love──

「That's, Aeril. I'm……」

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

Aeril hugged her own arm while smiling with self-depreciation.

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

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

Aeril showed her best smile and waved her hand.

Right after that, the moment he blinked, her figure disappeared.

The same like Singlen just now, it was as though she wasn't there since the beginning.

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

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

In exchange his attention was completely taken away by another strange sight that suddenly manifested.

Flames were blazing up at a corner of the downtown. It was visible from the castle's terrace.

The bright red flickering flame and the rising white smoke.

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

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

Lux headed to the edge of the terrace and his body leaned out from the handrail while he was focusing his gaze.

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

A force of several dozen Drag-Knights seemed to be surrounding a single Drag-Knight, but in defiance to the difference in numbers, the lone Drag-Knight was the one with the superiority.

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

(Who is fighting who? No, more importantly──why is no one noticing this!?)

Even though such a fierce battle was unfolding this nearby, not to mention his comrades inside the castle, even the guards weren't reacting.

Far from that, even the drunken people enjoying the parade who were walking near the battle weren't even paying attention to the battle.

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

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

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

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

First he flew towards the destination by taking a detour in order to observe the situation.

When the distance was gradually decreasing, Lux's head was. .h.i.t by even more shock.

–

「You b.a.s.t.a.r.d──who are you-!? Were you sent by the queen!? Why are you……gubaah!」

The question from a Drag-Knight was drowned out by his own scream of death agony.

The one who accomplished that was a girl clad in a crimson Divine Drag-Ride with four legs. It seemed to be a special type equipment that was similar to a Drake, but it was a unit that he saw for the first time.

Drooping mechanical dog ears were growing out from the pilot's head.

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

The Automata girl with no light in her eyes was the Gear Leader who was managing the Ruin Hall──Ney Louches.

After the great war at Avalon, for some reason, even Krulcifer was unable to meet her in the Ymir Theocracy. And yet here she was ma.s.sacring mysterious Drag-Knights.

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

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

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

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

The Automata wasn't killing the Drag-Knights of the New Kingdom's military. The uniform was different.

In that case, could they be the private army of some n.o.ble?

The n.o.bles were summoned for the previous great war and they dispatched their subordinate Drag-Knights in order to obtain deeds of arms, but the majority of their forces should have gotten caught in Listelka's trap and destroyed by the revived seven Ragnarok.

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

「You d.a.m.n puppet! Why are you attacking us-!? What happened to Waybra!?」

One of the man yelled with a desperate look.

Lux recognized the face of the Drag-Knight who was taking command at the rear.

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

The man who he fought in the past, the eldest son of one of the Four Great n.o.bles, Balzeride Kreutzer.

The looks of this man was like Balzeride who was a few years younger with longer hair.

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

The n.o.ble who Dist told him about the other day, Waybra.

The man was a distant relative of the Old Empire's imperial family. He showed himself in the government faction called the Old Empire faction that was opposing the New Kingdom's administration.

And then he also heard from Dist that the second son of the house of Kreutzer, Sieg Kreutzer also obtained some kind of connection with that man and he was forming a Drag-Knight force.

Dist told him that he might try to do something bad in the middle of the parade.

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

No matter how worn down the battle force of the new kingdom had become, he wouldn't be able to do anything with just that much force.

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

The wreckages of the Drag-Knights' mixed force that consisted of several dozen Drag-Rides.

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

The special equipment type Drake had variegated abilities that Wyvern and Wyrm didn't have, but it could exhibit its effectiveness enough with just one or two of it in a squadron.

With Drake, the stability of the squadron would increase remarkably, but the effectiveness wouldn't change by much even if there was a lot of it in one group.

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

He didn't understand.

The parts in order to derive the correct answer were fundamentally lacking within Lux's mind.

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

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

Instantly, the red Divine Drag-Ride Ney Louches was wearing spouted out flame that was illuminating the surrounding area brightly.

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

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

「It's night so please be quiet, dearimasu. No one can hear it though.」

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

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

(No──more importantly, why?)

Lux was shocked by the terrifying strength of the Automata while his thought was chasing after another puzzle.

(Why did Waybra who was a n.o.ble in the era of the Old Empire approach the Old Empire faction at this time? There must be something that he got his hands on. Information that might shake the foundation of the New Kingdom──)

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

His misunderstanding that Ney Louches who attacked his group was sent by Lux or another person.

The fact that it was hinting at was──

「Are you noticing me, Lux Arcadia?」

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

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

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

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

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

「Roger dearimasu. You won't become an elimination target. Because you won't become a hindrance for the history revision anyway, and above all else, it seems you will be an essential personnel in the New Kingdom from here on.」

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

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

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

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

Next the people who got pursued from behind were screaming and running about trying to escape.

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

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

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

Were they recording some kind of event using the special equipment type Drake to use it as a negotiation material?

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

(The one who was killed by the Automata El Fajura at that time was, Waybra! And then the second time around, this time it was Sieg Kreutzer who got killed!? By a Gear Leader who is controlled by someone……)

But, why?

Why were the Automata controlled?

Lux who was wracking his brain to solve the questions was perplexed.

Excluding Aeril, the awakened Lords were completely annihilated, that was why there should be no one who was able to do that.

There was no way Aeril who was in control of Avalon would do something like this.

Even the citizens who were witnessing this noisy battle weren't noticing the disturbance.

–

「I──know about it.」

–

Suddenly Aeril's voice entered his ear.

When Lux immediately turned around, Aeril who disappeared some time ago was standing there.

She was wearing the Academy's uniform that Lux praised as looking really good on her before. She was staring at Lux with a pained expression.

Her braided radiant silver hair was swaying because of the night wind.

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

Aeril who suddenly appeared was forming her words in a whisper.

Lux was already not bothered by the uncertainty of her existence.

Lux simply wanted to know her next words and he focused his hearing towards her.

「That is exactly, the Zero Ruin──ArtifactTransforming Drag-Ride Ouroboros's Divine Raiment, EndlessEternal Recurrence. Avalon is half the body of Ouroboros, it's also a dummy to hide the true shape of Ouroboros. A mighty power that far surpa.s.sed the perception manipulation I used to falsify my true ident.i.ty is encroaching into the perception of humans within a range that covers the whole world, using each Ruin as its transmission amplification device.」

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

These were words that Aeril were telling him at that time.

「Ouroboros can rewind people's memories──to change history. No matter how much destruction has happened, or how many millions of people were killed, it can realize a do over using perception manipulation that will adjust the events to fit the situation to a certain degree. The seven Ruins──Artifacts' other side is as devices to brainwash the people to revise the history while at the same time destroy things that are unnecessary for history, and creating the necessary things.」

(So……that's why. So, it's like that.)

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

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

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

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

That person would literally obtain the world in their hand.

Therefore, by the point of time that truth became known, something like peace between countries would be impossible.

The remaining sovereigns and influential people would pour everything they had into battle and rushed towards a b.l.o.o.d.y war.

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

「But people who received Baptism, the greater the extent of Baptism they received, the more they would be able to resist the perception manipulation to a certain degree. That's why, I'll leave the rest to you. It's fine even if you decide to not fight. It's fine even if you decide to follow someone else. You who accepted me who was your enemy as your comrade──you who are feeling concerned even towards Listelkneesama and Hayes, if it's you, I will believe in your justice, your decision.」

After saying that, Aeril's expression loosened into a smile that was wafting off loneliness.

She showed Lux the best smile she could make along with a voice that was filled with deep affection.

「──Sayonara, Lux-kun. I'm happy that I could meet you. It will be nice, if I can meet you again, within your consciousness at least.」

「Aeril……?」

Her figure was faintly melting into the night's lighting.

Before long her figure would vanish completely. Just before that happened, Lux came back to himself with a gasp.

「The elimination of deletion target──is finished dearimasu. Next is to wait for Endless's reactivation dearimasu, Arshalidono.」

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

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

The crimson Divine Drag-Ride that Ney Louches was piloting killed everyone with certainty──, no, around four or five people seemed to manage to escape using Drake's camouflage.

(Are they……being allowed to escape intentionally? It seems Ney Louches is moving by Arshalia's order.)

The Gear Leader of Avalon, Arshalia.

If the other Gear Leaders were moving by her direction, as expected the person who obtained Avalon was the one who was ordering this action.

「More importantly, it's puzzling why I'm being ordered to let them get away dearimasu. If it's me, I'll be able to kill them easily you know?」

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

A Drag-Ride with armor that was s.h.i.+ning like a jewel was floating behind Lux without him noticing it.

It was the first time Lux was seeing that Divine Drag-Ride, but the rider was familiar to him.

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

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

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

「……Please wait a second nanodesu. The transmission from Captain Arshalia is interrupted. No, it's not like I'm saying the instruction from captain as though it's my own words nanodesu──」

The behavior of the easily carried away Automata who suddenly got fl.u.s.tered and starting to s.h.i.+ft the responsibility felt slightly nostalgic──

However at the same time Lux was feeling dread at the content of their conversation.

Ney Louches who was looking exasperated suddenly hit her hand with a plop and looked up at her comrade who was floating midair.

「A contact came to me dearimasu. It seems that it's the idea of the new master. It's in order to smoke out all the hostiles during this parade dearimasu. With that the history will be correctly revised dearimasu.」

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

「In the end you completely forgot it didn't you dearimasu……. Good grief, this piece of junk──. I wonder why you didn't have the intellect strengthening remodeling done to you.」

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

La Cruche flared up at Ney Louches who was nonchalantly making fun of her.

Lux was listening to that harmonious exchange, at the same time the puzzle pieces were settling down in Lux's head.

(History's revision……? Someone is wis.h.i.+ng for this situation and trying to manipulate history?)

Lux had an idea about someone who would do that.

(That's right. I, at that time──!)

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

For some reason, the deathly battle at the abandoned capital Guernica more than two weeks ago was surfacing at the back of Lux's mind that was getting further away.