Episode 4 – The Subjugator, Mel Gizalut
Part 1
「Uu──, AAAaAAH……!」
Near the cathedral located in the north of the Holy Capital, inside a room of a lodging house for high ranked monks or Sanctuary Knight Order members to sleep.
At the time of dawn where it was still dark outside, a high-pitched scream resounded.
「Haa, haah! Haa……! Haa……」
Mel was breathing roughly with heaving shoulders on top of the bed in a sitting posture.
She confirmed the situation around her and embraced the Sword Device leaning against the wall.
「……How hopeless. Only this dream hasn’t changed since that day seven years ago.」
She embraced her own body that was trembling from the lingering memories of the bad dream with her two hands to hold it in.
The terror and despair from losing her whole family due to the rampage of the Ruin seven years ago.
And then the burning rage inside her chest made Mel Gizalut’s body tremble.
「Why, even though today isn’t that day……」
She bit her lower lip hard and let out a voice with a grieving expression.
「Even though I won’t lose if today was that day. Otou-sama and Okaa-sama , Onii-sama and Onee-sama too──even my little sister, I wouldn’t let them die if it was today, and yet!」
She pulled out the Sword Device from the sheath and muttered while gazing at the beautiful blade of two colors that was glistening.
The Divine Drag-Ride Ddraig Gwiber, it was a prize that was bestowed to Mel after she was defeated by Krulcifer at the military arts tournament due to Bishop Orphel’s proposal to the archbishop.
Although she lost due to decision, but thinking about the future prospect and strength of her who polished her skill until that far in that short time, it was fitting for her to receive it. It seemed that that was the reason, but Mel thought that it was surely just the reason on the surface.
Wasn’t it actually something like a consolation reward for the Gizalut house after dying in the line of duty and also because of all their contributions in the past as members of the Sanctuary Knight Order that were direct subordinates of the pope? At first she was doubting it like that.
But──
「Mel, you had a nightmare again?」
*Knock knock* After that light knocking sound, Bishop Orphel entered inside the room.
「……I’m fine. It’s a usual thing.」
Seeing Mel wiping away her sweat and saying that, Orphel walked towards her with an uneasy look.
She sat down beside the bed, then she hurriedly put on a coat above Mel’s white underwear.
「Bishop-sama is a worrywart as usual. Shouldn’t you worry about his eminence the pope instead as his aide?」
Even while talking sarcastically, Mel didn’t reject that good will and smiled.
Orphel who heard her words also didn’t look offended, she merely spoke with a chiding tone.
「It’s no good for a girl to let their body get cold you know? You are a strong and smart child, but you are still careless in that kind of area.」
Saying that, she made Mel’s hand grasped a warm stone that was wrapped with fabric.
Her body that was starting to get cold was warmed, and her heartbeat was recovering its calm.
「…………」
The bishop with years of long service in the church──Orphel. Mel always thought that she was a mysterious woman.
In this country, a bishop who engaged in politics and ceremonies usually wouldn’t get deeply involved with the Sanctuary Knight Order that was military.
Because both sides shouldered important authority in the country, there were regulations so that both sides wouldn’t be too closely connected.
And yet for some reason, since the incident seven years ago Orphel frequently came to check on Mel’s condition.
Even though she never even heard that Orphel had a particularly close friendship with the Gizalut house.
(Really. Just what is this person thinking I wonder──)
No one was talking about it openly, but the number of fellows who talked badly about the relationship between Mel and Orphel weren’t a few.
Orphel was aiming for the hidden fortune of the Gizalut house, or she was taking advantage of the lonely girl’s weakness, or she was trying to win over the powerful person who became a member of the Seven Dragon Paladins, etc., etc. There were many kind of rumors.
Mel was a clever girl, so she immediately understood that kind of method with ulterior motive.
But for some reason, she didn’t harbor animosity towards Orphel.
She didn’t really understand why, but it might be because Orphel never gave her cheap consolation.
When she had only just lost her family, various people called out to Mel in pity.
『You must not lose heart. Because god is always watching over your hard work.』
『Don’t lose. This too is a trial that is given to you.』
『Let’s offer a prayer. If you do that, then surely the time will come when your heart, too, will receive salvation.』
──Don’t screw around.
That was what Mel was thinking even while nodding smilingly at the surface.
She didn’t know how much her heart was hurt until now by those very cheap consolations.
The people giving those consolations themselves didn’t have the slightest ill will, so it caused even more anger to well up inside.
Both her parents were devoured to death by monsters before her eyes, her everything was suddenly stolen unreasonably. After such a thing, how could she believe in god or anything?
It was only Orphel who had never said such things even once to Mel.
She only asked things like, ‘is there something troubling you? Are you hungry? Don’t you feel cold? How is your health?’, and so on, after that she would talk about trivial things with her, and stayed at her side longer than anyone else.
She visited the lodging house every morning, and looked after Mel when she was tormented by bad dreams.
When Mel was injured or when she was sick, Orphel would nurse her throughout the night.
That was why, Mel was harboring emotions that was similar to deep affection towards this woman called Orphel.
She even thought, ‘If only she was my real mother……’.
(I too am foolish huh. Even this person, it’s highly possible that she is trying to use me, and yet──)
Her obtaining the Divine Drag-Ride Ddraig Gwibel, her becoming a Seven Dragon Paladin too, everything was because of the endorsement of Orphel who volunteered as Mel’s guardian.
Of course, Mel herself had the conceit that her strength was the best even in the Ymir Theocracy, but she could sense some kind of motive from Orphel.
But, even so, there was a side of herself who felt that the woman’s existence and feeling were pleasant.
(In the end, I too am still a child even if I’m called the prodigy of Ymir.)
Even while she was laughing at herself inside her heart, she couldn’t do anything at all regarding her feelings.
When a human was weak, they would harbor good will towards their ally.
She was thinking that she didn’t want to be abandoned by this person, that she wanted to answer her expectations.
「Mel, you have talent. Prove it by obtaining achievements in the pilgrimage this time, okay? If you do that, everyone will recognize you. You won’t──feel lonely anymore.」
「You cannot make use of me just by buttering me up you know?」
Mel chuckled and stood up from the bed.
「But, I’ll show you how I raise the greatest achievement as a guard this time too, I will win against Krulcifer only for my own sake, that’s all. I won’t pray to both god and angel.」
「As expected, you can be charged with lese majeste because of those words.」
Even while smiling wryly at Mel who was saying such things while being a believer herself, Orphel didn’t reprimand her.
「It will be preparation time soon. I’ll look forward to it, as your guardian.」
Orphel only said that and exited the room quietly.
From the grey sky that was visible from the window, light sleet was starting to fall.
Part 2
The morning of the last day of the Pilgrimage Festival.
Lux and Krulcifer first headed to the departure place, that was the Sanctuary, just as planned.
At the same time, Lisha and the others also used horse carriage to accompany them to the Sanctuary. When they arrived, they made the offer of cooperation in order to stop the kidnapping plan of Dragon Marauder.
「I understand. As an allied country, I gratefully accept the assistance of the elites from New Kingdom Atismata.」
It seemed that Pope Nias was surprised, but after consulting with the bishop, he immediately accepted.
Although, Lisha and the others wouldn’t accompany the pilgrimage of the pope.
The aim of Dragon Marauder was split into two at present.
In the description of the secret message that Dilwy left, it was written that the kidnapping target would be the archbishop or the pope, either of them.
While Pope Nias was carrying out a ceremony at the Old Sanctuary site nearby the Hall, Lisha and the others would stand by at the Holy Capital where the archbishop was staying. It was arranged so that their combat force would be applied as the situation demanded.
Fifty elites of the Sanctuary Knight Order, Lux, Krulcifer, and Mel, they served as the pope’s guard just as before. It seemed that it was decided that line up was fundamentally enough.
「I wish to accompany Lux as an aide of a Seven Dragon Paladin but……it cannot be helped with our strategy. Please leave this side to us.」
Celis gave out only a small sign of feeling disappointed, even so she straightened her back and threw out her chest.
When Lux nodded, Philuffy suddenly peered with an unblinking gaze at Lux’s face.
「Uwah!? Phi, Phi-chan!?」
「Lu-chan. It’s no good unless you properly sleep at night you know?」
It seemed that she saw through Lux’s lack of sleep in an instant.
Well, one of the causes of that was related to Philuffy though──
「Also, it’s no good, if you fight while worrying too much you know?」
「Eh……?」
Lux was surprised when Philuffy told him that indifferently with her usual serious face.
Even though he didn’t say anything about Krulcifer and the Ruin, and also about Ney Louches.
She softly caressed Lux’s hair *pon pon*, and then gave him a soft smile.
「If Lu-chan’s feelings aren’t mistaken, surely it will be fine.」
「……Yes. Thank you.」
Even without her knowing the details of the circumstances, Philuffy’s words mysteriously were able to relieve him.
When his feelings were turning peaceful like that, Lisha finally came at last.
「Be careful, okay, Lux. ……Also, don’t flirt too much with Krulcifer.」
「Ahaha……」
「Come back safely for sure. The safety of his eminence the pope is also important, but you are my knight after all.」
「Yes. I absolutely won’t do anything that would make Lisha-sama sad.」
When Lux smiled like that, Lisha averted her eyes just slightly while offering her hand slowly.
After Lux took that hand and squeezed back, he also finished greeting Yoruka lightly.
The preparation of Pope Nias was also finished, and the elites of the Sanctuary Knight Order got into the horse carriage.
But, the assistant sister who was usually riding together on the pope’s carriage, Ney Louches came in front of Lux and the others.
「Due to Orphel-sama’s command, today I will accompany Xf…… not that, Krulcifer-sama and the others dearimasu. Please take care of me. ……Fuu, I almost exposed the whole secret completely there dearimasu, good grief.」
After holding up her hand in front of her face with a snap, Ney averted her face and muttered.
Lux and Krulcifer who saw that looked at each other’s faces with a wry look.
「That’s why your true feelings are leaking all over though…… perhaps it’s a blunder to include this child into the plan. No matter how long it has been since she was last serviced just like she said, she is still a bit too much of a piece of junk.」
「Tha-, that’s cruel dearimasu! Even though Ney looks like this, Ney is a child that can do it if she tries dearimasu. Ney also hasn’t told anyone about that plan──muguwah」
Lux and Krulcifer who went pale hearing her words wasted no time to block her mouth.
It seemed the surroundings didn’t hear, so they immediately got into the horse carriage before even more mistakes could be made.
They departed to the last pilgrimage location, the Old Sanctuary site near the entrance of Hall.
Next, would Dragon Marauder come to kidnap Pope Nias just like in the information the New Kingdom obtained?
Or else, would that be a diversion and instead they would attack the Holy Capital to suppress the cathedral where the archbishop was at?
And then, would Lux be able to head to the Hall’s archive following Ney’s guidance?
A day where various thoughts were interlacing started.
Part 3
Ten-odd minutes later, they arrived at the Old Sanctuary site without any accident.
It seemed that the ceremony here would take long, Lux and the others who found opportunity planned to accomplish their objective.
Krulcifer would use the supervisor’s authority she possessed in the underground of the Old Sanctuary site, teleport to the archives of Hall, and obtain information of the past.
Ney Louches was given detailed instructions by Pope Nias──or more accurately the upper brass of the church who were advising him, to investigate the insides of the Ruin together with Krulcifer.
But, the pope and the bishops didn’t know about the Automata’s trait that was obedient towards a Xfer. Krulcifer turned the tables through that. She would investigate the Hall’s archives along with Lux and aimed to be a step ahead in investigating about her true identity and the objectives of the existences that were called as Lord.
While Pope Nias was preparing for the ceremony, the eldest son of the Einvolk house, Zain, came talking to Krulcifer.
「Don’t loiter around too much. Our duty in the end is to guard his eminence the pope, and for you to raise an achievement that doesn’t lose to Mel Gizalut.」
His tone sounded chiding, but there was no particular malice that could be sensed from it.
Therefore Krulcifer, too, merely returned a simple question to Zain.
「I know. More importantly, is Otou-sama participating in today’s pilgrimage?」
She quietly turned around and stared at the back.
A man in his prime using a cane──the father of Krulcifer, Stiyl Einvolk was for some reason looking this way from afar along with Alterize who was acting as a guard.
His foot was bad because of an old wound. Perhaps, because he had a body that couldn’t wear a Drag-Ride, he was beside the horse carriage that was some distance away.
The Old Sanctuary site that was near the Hall had been predicted beforehand that it would be dangerous, and yet for him to intentionally come here was certainly an unnatural act but──
「I also told him. That the position of the Einvolk house doesn’t matter, just today father should restrain from coming. But, he is obstinate like that. He said to me 『There is a need for me to come』 and wouldn’t listen.」
「…………」
Lux ignored Zain’s grumbling and stared at Stiyl who was standing at the distance.
He didn’t understand his true intentions, but to him it looked like he was somewhat concerned with Krulcifer’s condition.
「Perhaps unexpectedly, it can be that father also came here to watch your achievement?」
「No way such thing is true, absolutely.」
Krulcifer calmly cut down the words from her big brother that was filled with sarcasm.
「Even though, he didn’t come to save me at that time……」
She muttered that with a lonely look before slowly entering into the old sanctuary site.
「──Excuse me.」
「I, I’m going too dearimasu!」
Lux also excused himself with brief words to Zain, and then he along with Ney followed behind Krulcifer.
The Sanctuary Knight Order including Mel was already going ahead. If the Old Sanctuary site had to be described with few words, it was a mysterious place.
Different from the Ruin, it wasn’t a structure that existed from ancient times, but a great Sanctuary of the Ymir Theocracy that was built around two hundred years ago.
Lux heard that the entrance to Hall was accidentally discovered near this site.
Deep in at the center there was a large altar. Even in its state with the ceiling collapsed and the sky being visible, the vestiges of a solemn atmosphere could be sensed.
There was a stair continuing underground beside the mountain of rubble, because there was the risk of cave-in over there, it was forbidden to enter, and closed off with a chain.
That was exactly──the entrance towards Hall that was their aim this time.
「It seems the Ruin is silent. Scouts were dispatched last night and it was investigated, but there wasn’t even a single Abyss from here until the entrance of Hall that was around a kl from here.」
「I see, thank you for your effort. I will begin the prayer ceremony now. Orphel, I’ll entrust you with assisting me.」
After the captain of the Sanctuary Knight Order counseled Pope Nias, the bishop Orphel moved to aid with the ceremony.
Ritual tools for the prayer were lined up. The last ceremony of the Pilgrimage Festival would begin from here.
But, even after understanding that there were no reactions of the Abyss nearby, it was possible that an ambush like yesterday could happen.
A total of fifty-odd Drag-Knights took position like their plan at the beginning without letting down their guard.
Lux and Krulcifer, and also Ney were placed to guard the inside of the Old Sanctuary site following the instructions of Pope Nias and Orphel.
Just as instructed by the top brass of the church that was conveyed through Pope Nias, Krulcifer, whose origin was from the Ruin, and the Automata Ney were tasked to bring back treasure and information from Hall.
However, the moment they descended down the stairs, Ney was scared towards the depths of the darkness that was gaping wide open.
「Uwaaa. It’s dark! It’s scary! Ney is not good against mice and bats dearimasu!」
「Is that so? How pitiful. But, I’ll have you walk ahead so do your best.」
「Hiiiii! The supervisor-sama here is inhuman dearimasu! U, understood, I will handle it carefully. ……Even so it’s cruel dearimasu, you are the type that will be hated by men, wait, oh nooo!」
(As always, the voice of her heart is leaking out……)
Lux unconsciously smiled wryly while beside him Krulcifer made a small sigh.
「It’s not like I want to harass you. With the narrowness of this passage, Drag-Rides cannot be deployed, so I thought that you as an Automata will have an easier time to detect danger. That’s all. No matter how long you have been separated from the Ruin, you still at least have that function right?」
「Uuu, I understand dearimasu. I will do my best somehow.」
「I’ll depend on you, Ney. I’m holding hope for your real ability. You are a child who can do it when you try, aren’t you?」
「Wo, woof-! Ple, please leave it to me!」
When Krulcifer patted the head of Ney who was nodding tearfully, her eyes sparkled and she recovered her liveliness.
(She tamed her in this short time……!)
Was it Krulcifer’s wiles that were amazing, or perhaps it was Ney who was simple.
In any case without even any time for Lux to feel admiration, Ney took the initiative and began walking through the collapsed underground passage.
Fortunately, perhaps because it was cold and there was no food, there wasn’t any mouse or anything like Ney was worried about.
Just, rubble was scattered everywhere, so it was hard to walk combined with the darkness.
「It’s not as deep as I thought, if there are signs of fighting, we will also be able to return quickly.」
「Yes. even if the opponent planned to split their force, we cannot let our guard down. The Drag-Knight who is the mastermind of the kidnapping plan, a division commander of Dragon Marauder, Drakkhen, I heard that she is a clever person who excels at forming strategies.」
「Yes. Besides, I’m also worried about Krulcifer-san’s father and brother.」
「…………」
Krulcifer didn’t reply to Lux’s muttering.
Her side face that was illuminated faintly by the lighting of torch was also in her usual cool expression.
「Lux-kun, do you dislike me who keeps putting distance with my family?」
「Eh……?」
The girl’s sudden words that were as if talking to herself caused Lux to raise a bewildered voice.
Even so Krulcifer kept looking forward and continued walking quietly.
「I noticed. You were calling out to my family in places where I wasn’t looking. You were trying to obtain some kind of information, regarding my discord with my family.」
「……Sorry. It wasn’t my intention, to hide it though.」
She must be referring to Lux giving presents to Krulcifer’s little sisters, or talking to her father.
「You don’t need to apologize. I’m not angry or anything.」
Her lips abruptly relaxed and she turned a gentle smile to him.
「Rather, I want to say my gratitude instead. I’m happy that you are trying to ascertain in my place, whether I really cannot get along with my family for a second time anymore. But──I myself, don’t really understand my own feelings.」
In the past, Krulcifer found out that she was born from a Ruin.
Since then, a gulf was created between her and her family.
And then, she was banished from Ymir to the New Kingdom.
In the New Kingdom, thinking that if she was able to solve the mystery of the Ruins, wouldn’t she be able to meet her true family, she entrusted her wish to that.
Krulcifer herself was wavering in her heart even now.
「Should I try to meet my family halfway one more time. Even after thinking about it for the whole night, the answer didn’t come out.」
Even if right now she entered the archives of the Hall and obtained some kind of truth, she would still waver.
That was why, as an important friend of hers, Lux said the answer.
「──I am Krulcifer-san’s ally. No matter what happens, for sure.」
「That’s right isn’t it.」
Krulcifer chuckled and showed a smile at Lux’s serious expression.
Right after that, Ney who was going ahead stepped her foot in an open place.
「We have arrived dearimasu. Xfer-sama, Lux-sama.」
It was hard to see because of the dimness of the place, but it was a space that was like a cone shaped hall.
Deeper inside, there was a wall that wasn’t made from stone, a metal wall that had weird patterns arranged on it.
「From this we can trespass into inside the Hall, towards the archive dearimasu. And then──here they come. Twelve Abyss have appeared on the surface of the Old Sanctuary site.」
「──!?」
Lux and Krulcifer lifted their faces with alert expressions.
This hall that was beside the door that connected to the Ruin had a high ceiling. There was space to summon a Drag-Ride.
In addition, if the ceiling was destroyed, it would be accompanied with the danger of collapse but it would be possible to escape.
「There are no large type Abyss, but what should we do supervisor-sama? If we go until the viewing room that is nearby the archive, we can even observe the surface from there dearimasu, we can also return using teleport but──」
Should they head out to help right now, or else should they go in a hurry towards the viewing room after finishing their business at the archive.
The elite force of fifty Drag-Knights made from a lot of High Class and above was a battle force that could oppose twelve Abyss.
Furthermore, right now, Mel of the Seven Dragon Paladins and Alterize who was an EX Class were also there.
But, if reinforcements of Abyss or Dragon Marauder came in the middle, there was also the possibility of Krulcifer’s step brother Zain and her step father Stiyl getting exposed to danger.
「I──」
「Wait! I’ll try contacting Alterize-san!」
Lux quickly pulled out his Sword Device, summoned his Wyvern and equipped it.
And then he used Dragon Voice to send his voice to Alterize’s EX Wyvern.
If the enemy was noticed by a Drake’s radar, she should also be wearing her Drag-Ride.
The prediction of Lux who was thinking like that was right on the spot, a connection to her was immediately linked.
『Lux-sama? Did something happen in the underground? Currently here, we are in the middle of battle with appearing Abyss. Their number is twelve, and there are three types, Gargoyle, Chimera, and also Haiit.』
That lineup wasn’t weak, but she and the other Drag-Knights there should be able to oppose that number and types of Abyss.
Lux asked for some more details just in case.
「Other than that, are there enemy reinforcements?」
『The Drake force of the Sanctuary Knight Order is searching for the reactions of Abyss and Drag-Rides, but for the time being none can be found in the area. We had also confirmed the sound of this rumored horn flute, but the one sounding it seemed to leave immediately.』
The conversation between Lux and Alterize were also heard by the two girls beside him.
When Lux told that to Alterize, Alterize gave a push on the back.
『Ojou-sama, please advance forward. We will hold on over on this side.』
「──I understand. Take care of the Einvolk house.」
Krulcifer told Alterize that without going as far as saying ‘family’.
From the beginning, the true objective of the Pilgrimage Festival this time was here.
The girl who originated from a Ruin, Krulcifer, and the Automata that came out from the Ruin, Ney Louches.
The mission was for the two to combine their strength and solve the mystery of the Ruin.
When Krulcifer lifted up her hand to the metal wall, words made from light ran through the surface and it was tinged with a dazzling radiance.
『……’s existence is confirmed. The unlocking of special code is executed. If there are no problems, teleportation will begin.』
An inorganic strange voice could be heard resounding directly inside their brains.
It was the same phenomenon that also occurred when they once investigated the altar in the Garden.
With the authority towards Ruins that Krulcifer possessed, it was possible to infiltrate from a special route.
「Then, we are going in dearimasu!」
Along with Ney’s call, light enveloped the surroundings.
Right after that, they received a sensation as though floating in the darkness, and when they noticed, it was as though they were standing in a different place.
A passage made from inorganic silver colored walls was spreading out before their eyes.
The surroundings was tinged with a faint light in reaction to their existence.
「──This place, is inside the Hall……?」
「Yes dearimasu! After a long time I have returned to the home I missed so muuuch! Waaaai!」
Perhaps feeling great delight from being able to return to the Ruin, Ney’s dog ears stood up then she jumped *pyon pyon* up and down.
But Krulcifer plopped her hand on Ney’s head with a quiet expression.
「My bad, but right now we have no time. Can you guide us to the archives here, so we can also quickly return to the surface?」
「Ro, roger dearimasu!」
Ney straightened her posture in a snap, then she quickly began to walk through the corridor.
Each side began to act with various feelings kept concealed inside their chests.
Part 4
──At the same time. Two hundred members of the Sanctuary Knight Order as well as cooperators from the New Kingdom, Lisha and co. who received information of the kidnapping plan, they took their posts and performed security with maximum vigilance.
Anywhere in the Holy Capital that was the capital city of Ymir was an important position, but on this day that was the last day of the Pilgrimage Festival, it was the cathedral at the northern part that was the most heavily guarded.
The believers in this country had no method of transportation to visit all the pilgrimage spots.
Most believers would get through with it by staying home or visiting the nearest church. But the nobles whose position as believer weren’t low had the custom to spend half a day offering prayers in this cathedral to make up not doing the pilgrimage.
Furthermore, right now this place was also the residence of the archbishop.
The aim of Dragon Marauder’s kidnapping plan was Pope Nias as well as the archbishop. From that point, a method to not gather the important people in the cathedral to avoid needless danger was also considered.
But, the result of the discussion caused such method to be dismissed because of two reasons.
The first reason, because the stage of the battle would be the Holy Capital itself, in the case that the important people were scattered everywhere, it would make it harder instead to protect them.
The other reason, was so that Dragon Marauder wouldn’t realize that their kidnapping plan had already become known by this side.
By all rights, if the noble believers didn’t gather in large number at the cathedral, the enemy would also notice that their plan had been exposed.
Thus, this time Lisha and co. were also placed in hidden positions.
The waiting place for the four was on a stone balcony protruding out from the cathedral’s third floor.
「Fuu. In any case, this country is really cold…… feels like I’ll freeze just by staying outside.」
Lisha blew out white breath to her hands that were rubbing on each other while her body shivered.
She was wearing a fur coat on her body, but right under it was her pilot suit.
「How about warming up inside? If it’s keeping watch, we will do it for a while.」
「No, that’s no good.」
Celis beside her was being considerate, but Lisha immediately shook her head.
「Those Dragon Marauder bunches are aiming at this chance, victims might appear even if we are late just by several seconds. Besides──Lux too should be feeling the same coldness about this time.」
Lisha straightened her back and acted tough. Celis’s expression loosened seeing that.
「Consuming stamina before a fight will bring nothing good you know?」
「Both of you, here.」
There, Philuffy who was snacking on cookies at the back presented something with her empty hands.
It was hot rocks wrapped in fabric. Lisha and Celis accepted that and said thanks.
「Even so, that ero woman is a willful one, as usual.」
Among the reinforcement force from the New Kingdom, it was only Yoruka who was at the rooftop of the cathedral instead of staying at the designated position.
In order to perform defense, Lisha and co. were guided to a place where it would be easy to receive instructions from Ymir’s side, but it seemed Yoruka’s decision was different.
『My objective is to annihilate Aruji-sama’s enemies.』
She asserted that, then said how the field of vision here was bad and left from the designated waiting place.
「Are you worried? Lisha-sama?」
「Wro-wrong, I’m not! No matter what happens to that indecent ero woman, that’s not my business! Just, that──as the representative of the New Kingdom, it’s troubling that she is acting as she pleases!」
Lisha responded slightly panicked at Philuffy’s question.
「How nice. To have someone to fuss for you──」
Celis was watching that smilingly while muttering. Right after that, a voice roared from behind.
「E, enemy attack──a messenger came from the Drake’s defensive line! It’s a large swarm of flying Abyss!」
Lisha and co. who heard that tensed their expressions and pulled out their Sword Devices.
「We are going to finish this before Lux arrives. ──Let’s go, everyone!」
They quickly wore the Drag-Rides they summoned and the battle began.
Part 5
On the other hand, the old sanctuary site.
Right after the tone of flute horn resounded, twelve Abyss attacked, but the guards of the pope were fighting in advantage.
「GI, iiIIIIIIiIIH……!」
A Haiit was screaming in a shriek, then its burned body was crushed.
「──Looks like they don’t learn anything from the previous defeat eh, this so called division commander of Dragon Marauder.」
The Sanctuary Knight Order was alert due to the previous attack and the information from the New Kingdom. They fought bravely, but even among them, Mel’s movements were the best by far.
Land battle form and flying form.
The Divine Drag-Ride Ddraig Gwiber that possessed the function of switching between two types of forms was freely controlled by her. The Abyss were defeated one after another.
She accelerated in the snowy wasteland with the wheels on her Drag-Ride and cut down the enemy with a heavy attack from her Halberd.
Against Haiit that possessed hard fur, the attack scattered fire and burned the enemy.
She struck down a Gargoyle that was dancing in midair at high speed with a squall, and when the enemy’s movements dulled she fired her Cannon.
The true identity of the squall was Ddraig Gwiber’s armament, or perhaps the power of its Divine Raiment.
In any case, she was seeing through the Abyss’s trait instantly and got rid of them through the shortest time and shortest distance.
She was overwhelming the swarm of Abyss with brilliance as though she was in a dance performance.
「──This is lacking. If it’s like this, should I go to guard the Holy Capital instead?」
The swift and accurate attacks of Mel stole even the eyes of her fellow elites from the Sanctuary Knight Order.
「She changed this much in just one and half years……?」
「What an unbelievable girl……. And she is still 13 years old?」
Alterize who drove her EX Wyvern and defeated two Abyss muttered in amazement.
In addition, the eldest brother Zain was cooperating with several Drag-Knights to fight. When they finally finished off an Abyss, there were only around two Abyss remaining.
「As expected from our country’s Seven Dragon Paladin. The pilgrimage this time is fraught with danger, but as expected, Mel is exactly the one worthy of obtaining meritorious deeds.」
Pope Nias was muttering with an admiring expression. Bishop Orphel also showed a smile hearing that.
「Those generous words of praise are truly an honor. She too surely will be delighted. ──Mel Gizalut, come down!」
Orphel took a deep breath, then she raised her voice towards the sky.
Mel who had just shot down the last Gargoyle at that timing quickly landed down before her along with Ddraig Gwiber in Wyvern Mode.
「There are no more Abyss in sight. This area should be safe. And so, there is a place I wish for you to head towards right away.」
「You like to handle your subordinates roughly, don’t you? Then, is it protecting the archbishop in the capital next?」
The Ymir Theocracy’s Sanctuary Knight Order──the Drag-Knights main force was split up with a portion protecting Pope Nias as guard.
In exchange four Divine Drag-Ride users from the New Kingdom were placed to cooperate with the protection of the Holy Capital, but a communication came that the number of Abyss appearing at the other side was a lot more than here.
The normal practice was for them to retreat, while having Mel who excelled in exterminating the Abyss to go back ahead.
–
──But, until this point it was the conspiracy of Drakkhen and Orphel.
「This country is also really pitiful. For them to put that kind of wicked woman on the seat of bishop.」
A Drag-Knight of Dragon Marauder was laughing with the corners of her lips raised in a smirk.
In the vicinity of the Hall below, security guards that were fewer than usual were standing.
This was exactly the real aim that Drakkhen was talking with Orphel.
If they stepped inside the Ruin Hall that was currently increasing in activity, the Ruin would react and new Abyss would flow out.
By manipulating those Abyss with a horn flute, they could secure a lot of combat forces.
In other words, the kidnapping of the archbishop as well as the pope were diversions in order to split the Theocracy’s battle force, creating this opening.
For the sake of this strategy, Dragon Marauder had joined hands with Bishop Orphel since around a year ago.
Assassinating the archbishop, taking the pope hostage, then obtaining funds by exchanging hostages with the Drag-Rides and treasure that the Theocracy possessed.
As compensation, Bishop Orphel would succeed the seat of archbishop, and she would run a puppet government using Pope Nias, who was still a child, as a figurehead.
『──Now then, you also have sent the combat force over there towards the Holy Capital as planned, we are going to ransack the Ruin with no worry now.』
Drakkhen’s voice was sent to Orphel’s ears.
If it was towards a designated location, the voice could even be adjusted into a whispering voice that other people couldn’t hear.
The power to manipulate and make sound freely.
That was the Divine Raiment of the Divine Drag-Ride Asp that Drakkhen possessed.
Therefore──the sound of a horn flute that was originally for manipulating Abyss on the whole in a wide range, with this power she was able to send the sound separately, executing multiple tactics.
A voice came back from Orphel in the Old Sanctuary grounds towards the snickering Drakkhen.
「That’s so, isn’t it. But it’s better to be careful you know? Even if it’s you the legendary mercenary──you aren’t a match against my Mel.」
『……What did you say?』
Right after Drakkhen gave that response, the air of the cold weather ripped, and a violent sound of slicing air roared.
When the Dragon Marauder squad of five people in the air noticed that, their defeat was already set in stone.
「──Agah!?」
Immediately after, a Wyvern was knocked down by Ddraig Gwiber’s Halberd.
Its back wings were smashed and the Drag-Knight fell towards the ground in a straight line. A red flame blast bloomed in the snow field.
「I believe all of you are a bit too careless. Or else, don’t you even know the basics? Drag-Knights using flying types should always be alert towards the above and their backs, you know?」
「Yo, you bastard-!?」
The troop of Dragon Marauder reflexively screamed and attacked, but Mel easily repelled that attack using a medium sized Blade.
Just with that the weapons of the man’s Wyvern instantly froze, and even its armored arm became unable to move.
「Wha, ah!?」
The man was shocked at the phenomenon which occurred to his body and he lost his cool. Mel then told the man with extreme indifference.
「──Boring. Humans are riddled all over with weak points compared to the Abyss.」
She smashed the shoulder armor with the Halberd in her hand.
Due to the strong impact towards the Force Core, the Wyvern’s functions halted and it fell.
「Shit-!」
「This brat──don’t get carried away……!」
「As long as we understand the trick of your freezing ability, this fight belongs to us!」
The remaining three men each yelled out and they launched a simultaneous attack from three different directions.
Breath Gun’s barrage, the bombardment of Cannon, mowing attack from Wire Tail.
But, every single one slipped through the figure of Mel and Ddraig Gwiber that should have been hit.
「──Wh, aaat!?」
A few seconds after they noticed that it was an illusion, Mel who circled to each of their backs struck them down one after another before she called out to the last one.
「Are you, the division commander Drakkhen? Let me have a little fun, okay!」
The Halberd of Mel who bared an aggressive smile was barely blocked by a medium sized Blade.
A crack ran through the blade from that attack and the opponent was blown away greatly backward.
「Chih……!」
The female mercenary Drag-Knight was losing the color of her face and without pause she flew in an attempt to escape.
But, a few seconds after she turned her back to the enemy. *Gakun!*, her Drag-Ride slanted and she became unable to attain speed at all.
「Wha-, what the hell is this! The Drag-Ride’s control is, not working──!」
A sudden breakdown.
But, why did it happen at this time of all things!? The female mercenary was flustered.
「I’ll tell you something for your souvenir to hell. This is Ddraig Gwiber’s Divine Raiment, Dual Shift.」
Flame, ice, wind, illusion, furthermore even the output of a Drag-Ride was sealed by this mysterious Divine Raiment.
The female mercenary was struck down without being able to grasp the answer until the very end. She was enveloped in a flame blast.
「──Fuu.」
Mel who defeated the Dragon Marauder just as Bishop Orphel instructed let out a relieved sigh.
She was a girl who was widely acknowledged as a genius, but with her still immature body, it was impossible to handle a Divine Drag-Ride for a prolonged period of time.
「Perhaps, my antagonism towards Krulcifer surfaced a bit too much……」
After confirming the safety of the area, she landed down on that spot and dispelled her armor.
The Drag-Knights of the Sanctuary Knight Order who were protecting the entrance of the Hall immediately rushed the moment they saw Mel’s figure,
They led her to a cabin at the side.
The Drag-Knights protecting the Ruin from invasion always had one of them constantly using Drake to monitor the surroundings.
Even if she would head to reinforce the attacked capital, she should at least take a little rest.
「Looks like everything went well.」
Mel took a rest inside the small room while smiling proudly.
With this she was able to obtain meritorious deeds from the guard duty too, and she should be able to protect Orphel’s safety too.
「As expected, something like this is unnecessary for a genius like me.」
Mel took off the holster of a short sword attached to her waist. She then muttered that while staring at the blade.
The tip of the knife that was sheathed inside the cover was emitting a slight beam of seven colors.
It was a blade that was loaded with the secret medicine of the Ruins called Elixir.
By wounding a part of the body using that, the secret medicine would melt into the body, and it would awaken the latent ability that human possessed.
Before this Orphel handed it over to her and told her to use it in case she fell into danger.
(Just a bit more. It’s just a bit more and I──can overcome the past, that day.)
Seven years ago, there was an attack due to the Abyss outbreak from the Ruin.
Due to that, she lost all her family members and fell into despair.
If it was now, when she had become a Seven Dragon Paladin and obtained a strength that could defeat the Abyss, she would be able to save the Holy Capital again.
And then──
「Orphel……I’m, fighting properly.」
She closed her eyes slowly and muttered with a voice that no one could hear.
That was Mel’s thoughts towards Orphel that normally even she herself wasn’t aware of.
Part 6
「──This place is, the archives of the Hall?」
About the same time, Lux and the others who managed to infiltrate into the Hall from the underground of the Old Sanctuary site finally arrived at their destination.
Lux spontaneously asked because it was a room that didn’t bear the slightest resemblance with what he thought as an archive.
Smooth silver walls were divided by countless lines, every single one was emitting a faint light.
And then the surrounding bookshelves had countless small boxes placed on them.
「This is, are they the『books』put inside this archive?」
「Yes dearimasu. There is a little bit of a trick to operating them but── in any case they need to be put into a deciphering device so──. More importantly dearimasu, is it all right to not go to the control room? I think it will be more convenient somehow with my memory recovered though?」
「Don’t make me say the same thing repeatedly. This time just this is enough.」
Krulcifer ordered Ney to stop suggesting that.
In exchange, she gave her instructions to tell her the content of the『books』in the archive.
「Ro, roger dearimasu! Eerr, first is──」
Ney read up the variety of books systematically.
From there, Krulcifer picked three kinds of books that she wanted to get deciphered first.
『Drag-Ride’s Fusion Function』,『Avalon and the Sacred Eclipse』, and regarding 『Xfer』.
The first was a book that recorded about limited strengthening functions hidden inside Drag-Rides.
The second was about the way this world came to be.
The third was about Krulcifer herself.
「Roger dearimasu. Then, I will load as well as translate the ancient language dearimasu!」
Ney put the『books』on an object inside the archive, then frames and letters made from light emerged.
「…………」
Krulcifer was watching over that sight with a complicated look.
Was there anyone else like Krulcifer in this world, and what a Xfer actually was.
That information which she didn’t understand until now would become clear after this.
「The translation of the three volumes is finished dearimasu. It can be read anytime──」
「Then, let’s go quickly to this viewing room. I’m worried about the situation at the surface and in the Holy Capital.」
From what Alterize said, the fighting at the Old Sanctuary site was going well for their side, but they didn’t know what was going on.
At present, after obtaining the translated『books』they didn’t need to stay here for long.
「Roger dearimasu. Then right away──……-!?」
Ney nodded and right after they finished teleporting to the viewing room──*DOoN!* the inside of the Ruin shook fiercely.
「This sound……!? Don’t tell me, there is an abnormality in the Ruin──」
Lux raised a cautious voice and put his hand on the hilt of his Sword Device.
「No──dearimasu. This pattern, the Old Sanctuary site on the surface was attacked.」
Ney who told them that hurriedly sat on the chair and operated the viewing room.
Images of light emerged on the silver wall surface, projecting the sights of the Old Sanctuary site on the surface.
「This is──what, happened?」
There, they saw the figure of Pope Nias and the others. They were already surrounded by ten-odd Abyss once more.
「They aren’t appearing from the Ruin here. But, if the enemy still has combat force placed nearby, then the reason they didn’t move their full force right from the start is──?」
It was when Ney muttered like that, the swarm of Abyss performed strange cooperation and assaulted the force of the Sanctuary Knight Order that was surprised and stunned──
「──U, AAAAAA-…….!」
The stomach of Bishop Orphel who was at the side of Pope Nias, was pierced by a claw.
–
「Orphel! Get a hold of yourself!」
「Please escape, your eminence. Their aim, should be, yo……」
Lump of blood leaked out *kopuh* from the mouth while she was talking.
Her internal organs was scraped off. It was clear that the wound was already fatal.
The flowing out blood was dying the surrounding snow crimson.
The force of the Sanctuary Knight Order that was joyous of their victory and concerned about the Holy Capital until just now was struck down straight to hell because of the attack by a swarm of Abyss once more.
The number and variety of the Abyss were mostly the same with the first wave, but the effect of the surprise attack while the Sanctuary Knight Order was reorganizing their forces was big.
There were a lot of knights who weren’t wearing their Drag-Rides, the initiative was completely snatched from them.
Thus, the troops couldn’t avoid falling apart.
Mel of the Seven Dragon Paladin wasn’t there as well. The knight captain was protecting Pope Nias somehow, while Alterize was doing the same thing for Stiyl Einvolk and the eldest son Zain.
「What a blunder……. To be manipulated like this just by an assault that came with a slight time difference!」
Alterize raised her voice while wielding twin swords using her EX Wyvern.
But, her swords had no momentum, perhaps because she was protecting her lord.
The eldest son Zain was also swinging his Wyvern’s Blade while yelling with trepidation.
「A, a rampage! The same as that time, it’s the punishment of breaking into the Ruins!」
「……Zain! Don’t speak that!」
The family Head Stiyl who was watching over the battle situation with a grim expression until now spoke those words with a sharp voice.
On the other hand, Alterize who heard about it for the first time made a bewildered expression.
「Rampage? Ymir’s, Ruin is──?」
「Please send reinforcements! They got the bishop!」
The moment Alterize was taken aback and turned around with held breath, the sorrowful voice of a member of the Sanctuary Knight Order could be heard.
Looking there, Bishop Orphel was lying down on the snow while being stained with blood.
–
「──You’ve done really well you know, Orphel, our former compatriot.」
*Zazaza-*, right after the discordant sound that was like a sand storm came, a voice was sent into Orphel’s ear.
The voice’s owner was Drakkhen who should have been finished off by Mel some time ago.
This was a conversation that was carried out between the two who were conspiring with each other throughout this past year.
It was a message that was sent by the Divine Raiment of the Divine Drag-Ride Asp that Drakkhen possessed.
「Who Mel Defeated, was your body double……a decoy, was it? Since when did you notice? That I’m trying, to betray you──」
Orphel asked mumblingly, without a single twitch in her body and with vacant eyes.
Drakkhen who heard her smiled wryly in exasperation.
「I have not the slightest duty to explain it to you. But, well, if I’ve got to tell you the trick, I knew right from the start, that you betrayed me.」
「…………」
「I’ll tell you as a souvenir for your journey to hell. The trick to deceiving someone isn’t to make yourself not seem suspicious as much as possible. It’s to ascertain what your opponent is believing. Is it the words from the people they trust, or is it the teaching of the authority they are clinging to, well there are various things but──for all people, it’s hard to doubt the information that they investigated themselves.」
「Did you, notice, that I made my subordinates, to observe, you……?」
「No. I noticed that another time.」
「……?」
*Zazazaza-*, the unique jarring sound reached Orphel’s ear once more.
「This discordant sound you can hear when I sent sound to you using Asp. In a situation where this sound hasn’t come to hearing first, I won’t be able to listen to your voice, and you also won’t be able to listen to my voice── In the first place, you having that kind of impression is my trap.」
「Kuh……!」
Orphel bit her lips hearing that.
She got her.
Asp’s Divine Raiment──the ability to send sounds to a designated place, or picking up sound from that place.
The jarring sound like a sandstorm that she would surely hear before that ability was activated was a trap that Drakkhen set up.
That jarring sound originally wasn’t necessary in the activation of the Divine Raiment. It was a bluff in order to make Orphel suspect that Drakkhen wouldn’t be able to eavesdrop using her Divine Raiment without that jarring sound coming first.
In other words Orphel’s plan was regularly overheard using that Divine Raiment that was picking up her sound from far away.
And the result of that was this.
「Besides, you want to make her obtain achievements right? That Subjugator girl.」
「……What are, you talking about?」
「I’m talking about Mel Gizalut. She is──actually your daughter right?」
「tsu……!?」
Orphel’s breathing was already feeble, but she raised a small groan on that spot.
「Ho, w…… did you──」
「Oh, I hit the mark? Well, this is just a hunch though. I thought of it while observing you. Why is a bishop who originally wasn’t connected with the Gizalut house supporting an orphan girl until that far…… well, it’s not that rare of a story though. Even if the Gizalut house that is a noted family of knights is acquainted with someone from the church and a child resulted, it’s not strange at all. Of course, it’s something one cannot go public with, so Mel was adopted into the Gizalut house but──」
The Gizalut house itself was completely eradicated, and Mel became alone.
By all rights she wanted to introduce herself as her mother, but she was unable to do that with her position.
「What are, you, planning……with that child?」
「Rest assured. I’m preparing the greatest big moment for your daughter. The erasure of the traitors who are trying to destroy this country. I’ll have her become the trump card in order for us, Dragon Marauder to obtain the Ruin.」
「……Me……l」
Not even a voice could come out from Orphel’s throat anymore.
At that moment where her consciousness was fading, an armored arm lifted up her body.
「Orphel! Get a hold of yourself-!」
Already unable to move, she mustered her last remaining strength, and she was finally able to open her eyes.
The one who was there was her daughter who she was unable to tell the truth──Mel Gizalut.
–
──Why.
Why why why why why why why.
That word was continuing to go around in circles fruitlessly inside Mel’s head.
Even though she should have done everything well, even though she should have become strong.
That time seven years ago, the rampage of the Ruin──
Different from that time when the Holy Capital and the Gizalut house were destroyed, she wasn’t powerless anymore. That should be so, and yet.
Even though she also shouldn’t have any feelings of like towards Orphel.
Why──did her sight get blurred by tears she wondered.
「Me, l……」
The lips of the woman who lost her face’s complexion opened, and a voice could be heard.
「……There is, something that I have, to tell you──」
「Orphel-!」
The moment she heard her last words, warm tears spilled out from the girl’s eyes that still had childishness remaining in it.
Part 7
To the north of the Holy Capital. A battle began against the army of Abyss that appeared on the battlefield in front of the cathedral.
The noble believers who came to offer prayers evacuated in panic to inside.
The outside was surrounded by the defense force and a barrier was laid out to protect the outer wall.
At present, the variety of Abyss that could be seen were only the Abyss that could fly, like Gargoyle, Chimera, and so on.
Thus, excluding Philuffy and Yoruka, only Drag-Knights handling flying type Wyverns headed out to intercept.
The enemy was a mix of around three types of Abyss, they numbered around thirty in total.
What was troublesome was the existence of around three powerful Abyss called Diabolos among them.
No matter even if it was a user of a Divine Drag-Ride, taking on that number simultaneously would be harsh, there the experience and skill of the girls who had continued fighting until now won out.
「Divine Gate.」
Celis wearing Lindwurm entered the range of the Abyss in the sky instantly using the Divine Raiment of instant movement.
Without delay, she unleashed a thrust of her Lightning Lance and easily pierced the core of a Gargoyle.
That splendid performance caused the noble believers inside the cathedral to leak out cheers and stir.
It even triggered Lisha who saw that to smile.
「She is powerful as usual but──I too cannot lose!」
She pulled out the Sword Device of Tiamat that she was wearing and sent in the thought of mind control operation into it.
At the same time, the supplemental armament of throwing weapon, Legion, appeared in countless numbers, and were fired simultaneously aiming at the Abyss.
「GUaaAAH!」
The Abyss of mixed animals──Chimera was hit hard by the countless throwing weapons.
The moment the enemy showed opening when it tried to dodge, a huge flash from the main cannon Seven Heads struck it into pieces.
The Drag-Knights of the Theocracy who were providing cover fire became even more roused up seeing that offense.
Celis was charging into the swarm of Abyss alone and annihilated Gargoyles one after another.
By all rights it was a situation where she was surrounded by Abyss, but due to the instant movement ability of Divine Gate, it was as though it posed no problem at all.
Lisha controlled her Legions freely and not just attacking, she even carried out disturbance action against the enemy ranks.
Thanks to that, the cover fire of the Theocracy’s Wyvern users and the Cannon bombardment from the ground force had an easier time to connect.
But, as expected the enemy was also preparing the stance of counterattack.
One Diabolos that should be far in the rear of the enemy swarm came flying at speed that the eye couldn’t follow.
「GURURURURUooOOOOAAAH!」
The jet black powerful arm that was three times larger than Gargoyle was swung down, assaulting a Drag-Knight of the Theocracy wearing a Wyvern violently.
「UWAAAAH!?」
A barrier was automatically laid out, but it was broken through forcefully.
The moment the young Drag-Knight of the Sanctuary Knight Order screamed, the Diabolos’s figure was reeled in at high speed to below.
「Pile Anchor.」
The land battle type Divine Drag-Ride Typhon that Philuffy was wearing.
The wire weapon that was fired out from every part of that armor caught the Diabolos that stopped moving just for a moment, and pulled it towards the ground in front of the cathedral where she was.
「──Wait, be careful airhead girl!? That thing can spew fire and also self-destruct! The cathedral will get swallowed!」
「There is distance, so no problem. Take care, of the other two.」
Philuffy unleashed a spinning kick at the Diabolos she reeled in and she brought the battle into a one-on-one duel with the enemy still restrained by Pile Anchor.
Celis who saw that also approached the remaining Diabolos using Divine Gate and succeeded in pining it down.
「Wai-, I’m the commander of you guys, so even though I told you not to move carelessly──」
Based on her status, Lisha received the role as the commander. But now she was flustered and already about to regret it.
『Oi, listen ero woman! You do something about the last Diabolos──』
Unable to see the figure of Yoruka, Lisha called out using Dragon Voice, it was at that timing her face’s complexion changed.
At the same time, a Dragon Voice from an unfamiliar Drag-Knight was sent towards her.
『Yaa, aren’t you all putting a good fight here, everyone from the New Kingdom.』
『You are──don’t tell me』
『Perhaps I should say, nice to meet you for the first time. I’m the one known as one of the three bosses of Dragon Marauder, the Human Dragon division commander Drakkhen.』
Lisha made a dubious face that the mastermind of the case this time suddenly sent out a Dragon Voice to her.
But, without even any time to ponder about the enemy’s intention, Drakkhen told her.
『Well, that’s enough for the greeting but, did you notice I wonder? While your attention was pulled to the sky, I sent out a new type of Abyss to the place of you guys see.』
『What……?』
When Lisha lowered her gaze to the townscape of the Holy Capital, she saw some black objects were approaching while hiding in the cover of the buildings.
A lump of liquid──it seemed to be a slime type Abyss.
But, it was different from the type that Lisha had seen until now, worthy of the name of 『new type』.
Its size wasn’t something huge, a single one had the volume of about an adult male.
『Number is an ironclad rule in battle, but it’s a maxim that is a bit insufficient to defeat you all who can overturn that. ──Then, I’ll teach you all, the tactic to crush that conceit that is drunk on strength and underestimates the enemy.』
「Hah, you said that you are going to expressly teach me──don’t look down on us!」
Lisha swung her Sword Device and controlled Legion──but, the moment it hit the black slime, she felt something out of place.
「──? This is!?」
When the Legion that hit the slime returned to her, the black slime that she thought was crushed was clinging on it like glue.
When she tried to wipe it away using Tiamat’s armored arm, it also got stuck further on that hand.
「It’s not melting the armor……does it not have offensive power? Then──」
It was fine like this, the movement would become somewhat dull, but it could continue battle without any trouble.
Lisha thought that and flew away the Legion. In that moment, its movement deviated and fell to the ground.
「──!? No, this slime’s true identity, it’s something that weakens Drag-Rides!」
The output of Legion itself, and furthermore her control using her Sword Device were dulling.
Most likely the slime didn’t only have stickiness, but also the property to obstruct the command signals from the Drag-Ride’s main body.
『Hee, aren’t your instincts sharp? Looks like it’s true that your talent as a Drag-Ride developer is also first class……. That thing’s name is Chaff Slime.』
『Fuh, your luck has run out now that I found out. This new type of Abyss won’t come off once you touch them and it will weaken a Drag-Ride, but accordingly it also doesn’t have any offensive power. If we deal with it without touching then──』
『Say, your highness of the New Kingdom. Do you think that I’ll execute that kind of shallow tactic?』
『──What do you mean?』
『Farther north of the cathedral, there is a large hill right? If that snow turns into an avalanche, don’t you think it will be a disaster?』
『──You bastard, don’t tell me!?』
Lisha instantly guessed it and turned around while cutting off the Dragon Voice communication.
「Everyone! Evacuate the people from the cathedral! An avalanche is──」
The Divine Raiment of Drakkhen’s Divine Drag-Ride Asp was the power to freely control sound.
And then, sound was the vibration of air.
Right after Drakkhen struck the surface at the top of the hill with a maximum oscillation wave── the surface of white surge swallowed the troop formation at the cathedral.
A part of the cathedral collapsed, and all the Drag-Knights of the Sanctuary Knight Order who were protecting the area were also buried.
No──, snow was also entering inside the collapsed cathedral.
With this, a lot of the nobles of the Theocracy were buried alive.
For a moment, Lisha’s head was about to become pure white just like the sight before her, but she immediately calmed her breathing and took command.
『──Can anyone hear!? Informing all Drag-Knights who can move! We will rescue the people and the comrades who were swallowed by the snow. Everyone who can move is to search inside the snow of the cathedral! Make use of Drake’s Radar too!』
Right after she announced that, the members of the Sanctuary Knight Order who were dumbfounded started moving.
When they threw their body into the snow in order to rescue the people, the troops noticed something strange.
「-……, wha, what’s this!? A strange Abyss is hiding inside the snow──」
「Over here too!? Where are they hiding!? It’s clinging on me……I can’t defeat it!」
「──This is, just now」
The complexion of Lisha who saw that changed.
That new type Abyss that Legion touched just now.
It didn’t have offensive power, but that Chaff Slime that could lower the output of a Drag-Ride was buried in large amounts inside the snow.
『A message! The Drake standing watch at the outskirt of the capital reported, that about fifty Drag-Knights of Dragon Marauder are heading here──』
「So, it’s like that……!」
Lisha who noticed Drakkhen’s scheme spontaneously gritted her teeth.
The rescue of the nobles who were buried alive wouldn’t make it in time without using Drag-Knights.
But, the Chaff Slimes inserted into the snow would encroach onto their armor each time they entered the snow, by the time the enemy’s main force arrived, their side’s combat force would be drastically lowered.
『It’s great that you understand my aim, if you want to be able to fight my force satisfactorily, then you can forsake those people, the noble believers gathering there without reservation.』
「……Kuh!」
Drakkhen’s voice sounded mocking.
But, she also couldn’t keep hesitating to make judgments like this.
Inside that snow, there were also Krulcifer’s two little sisters.
『Informing everyone once more! The Abyss inside the snow has no offensive ability! Mobilize with rescue as your priority! We will intercept the incoming Dragon Marauder force right after finishing the rescue! Hurry!』
『……Acknowledged-!』
「I will help, Lizsharte.」
「I also, can do it.」
Right after Lisha’s announcement, Celis and Philuffy who had defeated the Diabolos also headed towards her. There should be one more Diabolos remaining, but──]
「I have defeated it already a long time ago.」
When they noticed, Yoruka was standing on the nearby outer wall smilingly. A Diabolos’s head fell from the arm of Yato no Kami and rolled on the ground.
She didn’t have any spirit of cooperation at all like usual, but the height of her battle strength was at an abnormal level.
「That is to say, with this I have fulfilled my duty to you.」
「Wait! If you still have strength to spare then cooperate with us! There are people being buried alive here right now! It’s our job to rescue them!」
Lisha was actually moving her hands even while talking.
Her hands dug into thick snow to rescue the people, and then the Chaff Slime mixed inside the snow encroached onto her armor.
But, Yoruka didn’t move from the cathedral balcony where she was standing. She shook her head left and right with a smile.
「I will decline. If I touch that strange Abyss, I will be unable to move properly. Like that I won’t be able to finish off the enemy of Aruji-sama that will arrive after this.」
「-……!? You bastard! Are you serious!?」
「Lizsharte, it’s meaningless trying to persuade her. Let’s hurry even if it’s just with us.」
Celis prompted like that, but Lisha didn’t give up and spoke up to Yoruka.
「I know that you are that kind of person. However, what will Lux want if he was here, don’t you have the courage to even try thinking that?」
「What does that mean?」
Yoruka tilted her head. Lisha continued while still rescuing people.
「I’m saying, are you scared to make a decision by yourself? You don’t think about your master’s wish, you only follow your own rule no matter what, don’t you wish to become an even better servant for Lux?」
「──How can you judge that it’s like that?」
「That’s obvious. Because, I who has that guy as my subordinate am happy. That guy is always trying to answer my feelings. That’s why I also want to respond back to that!」
Lisha declared powerfully and put even more strength to control Tiamat.
The Chaff Slime were gradually clinging on her strongly and her movement dulled, even so her hand didn’t slow down.
「If you say that you are a tool that doesn’t wish for anything, then I’ll teach you! Help us Yoruka! In order to save everyone in this country, share your strength with us!」
「………… it’s unfortunate but there is no more time for that. ──They are coming.」
「tsu……」
Yoruka stared at Lisha with a serious face for a short time, but suddenly her lips loosened.
Ahead of where Yoruka’s gaze was turned, the force of Dragon Maruder could be seen marching from the north hill.
Part 8
A few minutes after danger was approaching both the Old Sanctuary site and the Holy Capital simultaneously.
By controlling the viewing room by Ney’s hand, Lux and Krulcifer who were wearing their respective Drag-Rides were teleported to the Old Sanctuary site that was right above the Hall.
They left the control of the Ruins to Ney and headed out using the shortest route to rescue Pope Nias and the others, but──
「……What is, happening?」
Krulcifer who was usually composed muttered that with trembling lips.
At the snow field of the Old Sanctuary grounds that they had entrusted to Mel and the others, the area was filled with broken armor and traces of blood.
With the time difference, the force of the Sanctuary Knight Order had collapsed due to the surprise attack of the ten-odd Abyss that were thrown into this place once more.
「Kuh, uu……」
Perhaps because of the strenuous effort of the knight captain and Alterize, Pope Nias himself was still safe, but the battle situation was obviously unfavorable.
「It’s, terrible……! Even at the capital, a violent avalanche occurred from the mountain region in the northeast area──in addition there is even the Abyss’s attack, at this rate we won’t even be able to rescue them!」
One member of the Sanctuary Knight Order wearing a Drake yelled that with an exhausted face.
Even the situation at the Holy Capital was exceedingly grim.
If they didn’t clean up the remaining Abyss and hurriedly rushed back to the capital, Lisha and the others would be in danger.
Lux who was wearing a Wyvern made that judgment and put his hand on his other Sword Device.
The exhaustion from using Bahamut was intense, but there was no more leeway to hold back.
「Krulcifer-san! Let’s exterminate the remaining Abyss! We have to hurry back to the capital!」
「Yes, I understand──……-!?」
Krulcifer responded to Lux’s voice. At that timing, it appeared right before her eyes.
–
「──Unforgivable.」
–
「Eh……」
The one hovering before the two was a single Drag-Knight.
It was Mel Gizalut wearing Ddraig Gwiber, but her condition was very strange.
Her eye glint that was usually filled with innocence or a fearless smile was now sinking darkly, emitting a disquieting aura.
「Unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable……. ──unforgivable-!」
Mel Gizalut’s eye snapped open. She drove her Drag-Ride and swooped down.
The Halberd attack that was unleashed with explosive momentum assaulted the Fafnir of the dumbfounded Krulcifer.
「Krulcifer-san-……!?」
Against the very unexpected attack of Mel, even Lux tried to stop it but he didn’t make it in time.
But, when the attack was blocked by Fafnir’s special armament, Auto Shield, Krulcifer called out to Mel in front of her with a bewildered look.
「What are you intending? Why so suddenly──!?」
「……You are, still planning to play dumb? ……It’s fine, if you are going to feign innocence until the very end」
Mel floated a venomous smile and whispered.
She backed away and took distance for a moment, then she swung down her Halberd on Fafnir once more.
「-……! It can’t be helped then.」
Krulcifer too, she dodged this time and sniped at Mel using the freezing bullet from Freezing Cannon.
Although Mel immediately defended using Halberd, her weapon along with her armored arm were frozen.
Fafnir’s special armament that froze the spot that was hit couldn’t be blocked using a normal barrier or weapon.
The moment the two were relieved that Mel’s attack was stopped for the moment, the armor of Ddraig Gwiber that was frozen dripped down water and the ice was instantly melted.
「Wha──!?」
Krulcifer who saw that was shaken. It was then Mel swung down her Halberd once more.
Lux immediately blocked it using his Blade as a shield, but the blade was frozen instantly.
「Ku……!」
Having no time to aim for a counter using Critical Hit became a failure for him.
Lux’s movement was sealed by the same attack and phenomenon as Krulcifer’s special armament.
(This freezing, is it because of a special armament? But──how!?)
If it was an armament with the same freezing ability as Freezing Cannon, the reason how the Halberd’s freezing could be melted would still be unclear.
Or else, was this the ability of Ddraig Gwiber’s Divine Raiment?
「──Wise Blood!」
Krulcifer who considered Mel as a formidable enemy activated the future prediction ability of Fafnir’s Divine Raiment.
But, right after the light of the Divine Raiment enveloped the Drag-Ride, Mel took a nosedive and escaped towards the snow field’s forest.
「Ddraig Gwiber, Wyrm Mode.」
The moment she landed on the ground, Ddraig Wyvern quickly transformed into land battle form.
The wings were folded and wheels for sliding popped out from the armored legs.
At the same time with her landing, she vanished among the trees in high speed without even the slightest time difference.
「Not bad……!」
Fafnir’s Wise Blood could predict the enemy’s movement, but if the opponent exclusively escaped, the attack options for this side would be remarkably narrowed.
Even if she tried to snipe, the forest that was covered with snow became a wall that rapidly decreased the chances to hit Mel who was moving at high speed.
Surely Mel’s plan was to aim at the moment the effect of future prediction ran out before attacking once more.
Thus, Krulcifer called off her Divine Raiment and took a stance to prepare against Mel’s assault but──
「……!?」
Something strange, Mel’s killing intent until just now was overflowing fiercely, but would she come attacking her simply with the same move?
The moment Lux probed at Mel’s movement with a dubious gaze, he suddenly noticed that the air throughout the area was flickering like haze.
The shoulder part of Ddraig Gwiber that was running through between trees at high speed had pipes like a small chimney lengthening from them.
「Defense! Krulcifer-san! An attack is coming!」
「──!?」
The moment Krulcifer heard Lux’s voice, a shudder ran through her body.
『……Aerial Buster』
Right after Mel’s muttering sounded out from Dragon Voice, the atmosphere shook and the air itself exploded.
「Kuh, aAAAAH──!」
「UA, AAAaaAAH!」
Flames and shockwaves, those forces that originally would come from one direction now felt like they were coming from all directions.
A flash that would burn the retina, followed by an immpact and thunderous roar, flame blasts thate rolled up, making it impossible to even breath, and then the Drag-Rides started creaking.
「That child, doing such thing──!」
Krulcifer desperately rallied her Drag-Ride and somehow managed to hold out in midair.
As expected, even Auto Shield couldn’t completely defend against that wide range bombardment from all directions.
Mel was pretending to escape by skating on the ground while scattering out flammable fuel that was turned into vapor.
If it was ignited, the enemy in the midair area would be burned off and made it possible to shoot them down.
What she muttered, Aerial Buster, it must be a special armament for the use of intercepting flying enemies.
Mel had predicted that Krulcifer would stop using Wise Blood if she took distance.
(Strong! To be able to use her Divine Drag-Ride this far at this age, on top of that she is able to form a strategy and execute it.)
Even Lux who was using Bahamut since he was twelve was astonished at Mel Gizalut’s true strength.
The two were tasting the terror when she was turned into an enemy from the bottom of their hearts.
「To be able to have time to feel surprise, you are really composed aren’t you?」
「-……!?」
Ddraig Gwiber and Mel’s figure appeared from the smoke of the flame blast that enshrouded the area.
Krulcifer reflexively fired her Freezing Cannon, but that flash cut through empty air.
「──This is, an illusion!?」
Even though the bullet wasn’t evaded, it slipped through Mel’s armor and body and didn’t hit.
Mel leaped out before Krulcifer using that opening and her Halberd struck from overhead.
*GAKII-!*, Auto Shield reacted and seven shields blocked the attack.
Krulcifer readied her Rifle at that opening, but a vilent squall mowed down.
「It’s wind this time!? What in the world──!?」
「Troublesome special armament…… I’ll make it so you cannot use it anymore.」
The Drag-Ride of Mel who muttered ruthlessly was emitting a mysterious orange light.
The activation of Ddraig Gwiber’s Divine Raiment that they had been witnessing several times since some time ago.
Lux put up his guard, readied the Scale Blade that was distorted from the flame blast just now, and prepared Critical Hit.
Krulcifer activated her Divine Raiment the Wise Blood and predicted Mel’s movements.
「──How astonishing. To still think that such a move would still work even at this point of time.」
Mel spoke with a callous and chilly tone.
Right after that, an abnormality occurred in the Drag-Rides of Lux and Krulcifer who were near Mel while Mel herself wasn’t doing anything.
「-…… this is, what is going on!?」
「The Drag-Ride’s output is decreasing!? Why, so suddenly──」
The two desperately controlled their Drag-Ride to rally their posture right away, but the Drag-Ride’s reaction itself was bad.
The Drag-Ride’s performance itself and its control function were being weakened.
No matter how excellent of a Drag-Knight they were, there would be nothing they could do if their command wasn’t transmitted properly.
「Could it be, this is──」
「Yes, with this, that annoying shield of yours became unusable too. ──Bye.」
With one attack Mel sent flying the Auto Shield that had become slow in reacting, and then she reversed her hand and swung the Halberd horizontally.
It attacked at Krulcifer and Fafnir who exposed a defenseless opening.
──But, Lux moved his Wyvern that was dropping in output and became unable to move properly, and he barely stopped the attack.
「Stop this Mel! I don’t know what happened but, this isn’t the time to fight between ourselves! Everyone else is──, even in the capital the people are being attacked by the enemy!」
Lux understood that Mel was attacking without holding anything back, even so Lux tried to persuade her.
Certainly Mel was placed in a special environment, but she wasn’t a bad girl by any means.
And yet, why was she directing hostile towards Krulcifer?
When Lux questioned that once again, Mel turned a gaze that was filled with hatred towards Lux.
「You are planning to cover for her even knowing the truth? That woman who came from the bloodline of the Ruin and is the source of calamity──」
「Eh……!?」
When Lux was shaken hearing Mel’s words, his Blade was frozen once more.
The moment he let go of the weapon to prevent the freezing encroaching into his Drag-Ride, Mel’s Halberd was swung down.
「U, aah……!」
Receiving a severe attack through the barrier, Lux was knocked down to the snow field below.
But, right after that, the frame of Mel’s Ddraig Gwiber was starting to rattle to the left and right.
The control disorder because of the user’s limit──the omen of rampage was appearing.
「Kuuh……!」
Mel’s Ddraig Gwiber descended and its armor was dispelled.
This was the inescapable weak point that was shared between Drag-Knights who were still children.
No matter how high their Drag-Ride aptitude and battle senses were, it was impossible to operate a Drag-Ride at full power for a long time with a body that was still young and immature.
Thus, Krulcifer threw a question to Mel who was standing still while breathing roughly.
「What do you mean? How, do you know that──!?」
「……It’s the last words of Orphel. I heard it just now. Because of your fault, a rampage occurred in the Ruins of this country in the past. She said that she wanted me to defeat you the main culprit and take revenge, even at the cost of my life──」
「──Eh?」
*Jiri-*, a burning heat shrouded inside Krulcifer’s head.
Her own memories that she almost forgotten.
The first one, she was led by a lot of people towards the Ruin, and she could see a lot of the Abyss from nearby.
And then the second time she was led by the church’s people, and when she was guided to the underground of the Old Sanctuary site, an earthquake and collapse occurred.
She was buried inside the rubble, and when she opened her eyes at the church, her father wasn’t there.
There should be someone who saved her, but she remembered that until the very end her family didn’t come for her.
Since then she became estranged from her father, and the gulf with her family deepened──
「Then, the incident seven years ago, and one and a half years ago──all of them happened because I was involved with the Ruin?」
「The church that wanted to control the Ruin by using you concealed your true identity and the truth about the cause of the rampage. You also knew right? ……No, even if you actually didn’t know──I don’t care.」
While Mel was staggering because she was at the limit of her stamina.
Mel pulled out the knife that was tied on her waist, and stabbed the tip of that blade that was shining in seven colors into her own chest.
「Mel! That’s──!?」
The treasure of devil transformation that Lux saw in the Ruins of the Vanheim Principality.
Black patterns muddily spread from the stabbed tip, and Mel’s body was tinged with light.
「──tsu, AAAAaaAaAAAAAAAAaaAH……!」
An anguished soundless yell echoed in the snow field.
「Mel! Stop it!」
When Lux rushed forward while still wearing his Wyvern, Mel’s limbs jerked like a doll and she swung her Sword Device horizontally once more.
There was no more shaking from exhaustion on her body.
But that eye glint was enveloped with a jet black color, and black patterns were oozing from under the pilot suit.
「I don’t need something like a tomorrow without Orphel in it anymore. The honor of the Seven Dragon Paladins, and the achievements of meritorious deeds as a knight too, I don’t need them. The thing that I really wanted, what I had to protect no matter what──everything was taken away. They are all gone.」
Mel’s despairing voice was stringed on while the curse of thr Elixir was encroaching inside.
「──That’s why, I’ll bring ruin. Swearing on the name of thr Subjugator that eradicates the enemies of humanity, I’ll destroy everything of yours who stole everything from me without leaving behind a single thing-!」
Mel bared two eyes that were dyed with rage and lifted her Sword Device to the sky.
「A pair of stains opposing each other, be clad on my body and resurrect. O dragon of dispute, ruining heaven and earth, Ddraig Gwiber!」
Along with the passcode, the Divine Drag-Ride of red and white was summoned once more in front of Mel.
The frame quickly unfolded and transformed into the girl’s armor. Mel directed that eye glint of hers that was like an evil spirit towards Lux and Krulcifer.
「Devil transformation just like Dilwy……!? No, it’s only still a part of her that is changed.」
Perhaps the amount of Elixir that was filled into the blade was only very slightly, because the transformation didn’t reach her whole body. The eerie black pattern only emerged on a part of her skin.
Then, there was still a chance to save her.
「Mel! That power is dangerous! If you continue using it, your body will──」
「So what? Do you two have the strength where you can worry about my body?」
Mel made a gruesome smile and she silently readied her Halberd.
The trace of the innocent girl didn’t remain there anymore.
Utter rage and overflowing, boiling hatred.
Mel whose negative emotions were amplified by the Elixir’s side effect glared at the surroundings where the Abyss were rampaging.
「Unforgivable. Whether it’s you who is the cause of the calamity, and also the church that was hiding the reason for my family’s death. I will end everything──right here-!」
The moment Mel yelled, she strongly gripped the control stick of her Drag-Ride.
Right after that, the wheels on the leg armor rotated with initial response that was incomparable from before and it charged forward in a straight line.
「Krulcifer-san! Be careful-!」
「……Why? That Ruin’s rampage, was actually, my fault──」
Krulcifer immediately controlled Fafnir and tried to escape to behind Mel, but there was no sharpness in her movement.
Mel didn’t let go of that moment of hesitation.
From Drive that was creeping on the ground with super acceleration, it switched to Wyvern Mode that skated in the sky.
Against the attack of full power that was backed by the Drag-Ride’s weight and terrific momentum, Auto Shield that currently had its output lowered didn’t move.
「──Disappear」
Mel Gizalut who was transformed into a demon brandished her weapon and leaped.
In that slight instant with death right before her, something cut in before Krulcifer’s gaze.
Part 9
「……Shit-! I expected it but, to be unable to move by this much!」
Lisha muttered in irritation while galring at the countless Abyss dancing in the sky.
The Sanctuary Knight Order members protecting the Holy Capital as well as Lisha and co., the members from the New Kingdom, were forced into a hard battle that surpassed their expectations.
They made it in time with the rescue of the believers who were swallowed by the avalanche that Drakkhen caused, but the sticky new type of Abyss──Chaff Slime, was mixed in large amounts inside that snow.
They clung at the armor’s joint parts and propulsion device, lowering each part’s movement and performance drastically.
This was the result from prioritizing the rescue of the people even knowing that it was Drakkhen’s trap, but she didn’t regret it.
But, the time to truly pay the compensation for it would be from here on.
「GISHAAAaAAH……!」
A Chimera gliding in the air to attack was intercepted by the Lightning Lance of Celis who was wearing Lindwurm.
The attack from the lance that was tinged with powerful electricity burned the winged beast Abyss──but, that attack which originally should be able to pierce the core in a single attack and finish it off ended with only stabbing the enemy’s muscle chest slightly.
「GISHAAAAAAAAAA!」
Naturally, the efficiency of evasion and defense against the counterattack of that Abyss that couldn’t be defeated was also limited.
Celis immediately used her lance as a shield and dodged the claw, but she was unable to neutralize the impact completely and it pierced her armor, running through her body.
In the case that the offensive aspects were weakened, the stamina of the user was shaved off more than the Drag-Ride’s performance.
The majority of Drag-Knights of the Theocracy who got showered with Chaff Slime had their armor dispelled due to exhaustion and the encroachment, the number of people who could fight was decreasing at an accelerated speed.
Even Celis who was several times more trained than ordinary people was breathing hard, that was why Lisha and Philuffy were already at the state of maintaining their armor with only their willpower.
It was only Yoruka whose figure couldn’t be found anywhere right after she didn’t comply with Lisha’s demand.
「That damned ero woman, just what is she thinking…….!?」
Was she heading alone to the Old Sanctuary site to protect Lux, or was she going to defeat the commander of the enemy, Drakkhen? It was unclear what she was doing, but at present they could expect nothing from her.
「Lizsharte. Do you still have spare strength to exert your full power?」
Celis asked Lisha like that while staring at her with a grave expression before her eyes.
It seemed that the Abyss was finally completely annihilated, but they were replaced by the Drag-Knights of Dragon Marauder who were gradually tightening the encirclement.
The enemy’s Wyvern force that numbered more than ten was lining up in the sky above at long distance away. They were readying their Cannons and began a simultaneous bombardment towards the cathedral.
「Shit-! The really are an easy to understand bunch!」
Lisha spontaneously clicked her tongue. Philuffy beside her also nodded and replied.
「My Anchor too, cannot reach that range.」
The tactics of Dragon Marauder was thorough.
They wouldn’t enter the range of the throwing weapon Legion possessed by Lisha’s Tiamat or the wire weapon Pile Anchor that Philuffy’s Typhon handled no matter what.
The strength of the Cannon would be dampened if they fired from too far, but it seemed even that had been taken into consideration.
「──But, they also shouldn’t be able to approach carelessly. It’s as though the enemies other than Wyvern cannot be seen at all.」
Celis glared sharply to the front amidst the Cannon attacks that were fired continuously.
Even if they covered for the nobles gathered inside the cathedral, it would be a losing battle due to the Chaff Slime sticking on them making their energy consumption even more intense.
Thus, they were aiming at the instant that Lisha and the others became impatient and came forward. Even Lisha and the others had guessed the enemy’s intentions.
If they flew carelessly, most likely they would receive concentrated fire from the Drakes hiding on the ground waiting for a chance.
The Wyrms would also charge forward at the same time launching an attack.
The current Lisha and co. couldn’t breakthrough this encirclement.
Inside the half-destroyed cathedral, a lot of wounded and scared noble believers were clamoring.
They had no time for hesitation.
If the encirclement by the enemy force was completed, they would be annihilated by all out bombardment.
「──Lizsharte, I’ll leave the command to you. I will go buy time.」
Celis suddenly told Lisha that and stepped forward.
「Wa, wait! Don’t make a rushed decision! Perhaps there is still another way!」
Even while saying that, she gritted her teeth from being unable to think of a valid idea.
In the end, was it just as Yoruka said, that they should just abandon this country’s people and fight?
She didn’t want to think that her judgment that she made as the princess of the New Kingdom doing the best that she could do was mistaken.
But, she didn’t want to have someone else shoulder the burden that resulted from her judgment.
When Lisha was casting her eyes down unable to say anything, Celis silently turned her face to her and showed a smile.
「It’s not like I’m planning to die, so worrying is not permitted. Also──those caustic words you told to Yoruka just now were splendid. They were words worthy of a princess of the New Kingdom.」
「-……!?」
Lisha held her breath, right after that Celis’s Lindwurm soared to the sky.
「As expected, it’s heavy.」
It wasn’t just the movement restriction from the liquid Abyss made from mineral matter──the Chaff Slime, the additional weight was also weighing her down.
Celis gave up shaking off the slime with force. She could only finish off the enemy using the minimum movement.
「Here she comes──fire-!」
Just like they predicted, the force of Wyrms and Drakes on the ground hiding in the cover of buildings around the cathedral was showering her with concentrated Cannon fire.
「……Divine Gate.」
Celis activated the Divine Raiment of Lindwurm in anticipation of that.
She was able to instantly teleport within the territory of light.
Chaff Slime was clinging to her, but she was stlll barely able to fly along with it.
But, when she was evading, the other ground force immediately repeated two, three shots of Cannon.
「So I still cannot reach with this……」
Although the encirclement was tightened, there was no enemy within the range that Lindwurm’s attack could reach just by teleporting once.
There was a need to remake the territory of light to fly until that range using Divine Gate, but as expected the enemy wouldn’t let her by concentrating their aim at her.
It was a torrent of shockwave that even reached dozens. Even so the girl didn’t waver and flew. The men in the enemy force shuddered witnessing that.
「Chih! This woman, is she really the same Drag-Knight as us!? She should be weakened already!」
Celis suppressed the number of bullet hitting her to the minimum, and finally she broke through the storm of concentrated fire.
And then, the tip of the lance she thrust pierced the armor of Dragon Marauder’s Wyvern in the sky.
Finally, the first enemy Drag-Knight was destroyed.
But, the Wyverns at the surroundings who saw that switched their armaments to Breath Guns for close range and aimed to stop her movement with a barrage of bullets.
「It’s imprudent but, how splendid. As expected from the legendary mercenary.」
She even felt admiration to the thoroughness of the enemy force’s tactic and the height of their proficiency.
She had polished her strength, but this was a feat that she who was unable to lead other people couldn’t possibly do.
Because, rather than forcing hardship or burden upon other people, it was easier for her to take them upon herself.
But──
「It’s something I want to attempt to challenge if I come back alive. I want to give proper guidance to my juniors for sure this time, that’s why──」
Celis smiled. She disturbed the encirclement of Wyverns and carried out a suicidal attack until she ran out of strength.
「──I’ll also go soon, please take care of the rest, princess.」
A few seconds after Celis started charging towards the Dragon Marauder force, Philuffy too, told Lisha with an indifferent tone.
「Even you, what are you thinking airhead girl! What are you going to do running ahead when your Drag-Ride isn’t a flying type! There is no enemy in the firing range of your Typhon──you’ll only get surrounded and then shot down!」
With the ground where it was hard to move because of the avalanche and the movement that dulled due to Chaff Slime, she was just a shooting target.
Thus Lisha tried to stop her in panic, but Philuffy quietly shook her head.
「It’s not that, perhaps. Something is coming.」
「……What are you saying!?」
「Something else than this slime……something is strange, it has been gathering since just now.」
Philuffy turned her gaze forward with a glance.
Then, another slime with different color than the Chaff Slime that had muddy black color──a slime with dull ocher color was moving.
「Another slime Abyss huh? But, if it’s just that I’ll deal with it right──」
「Don’t shoot. ……My nose can smell it, even from here, oil smell.」
「Smell, you say……? Don’t tell me──」
Philuffy nodded expressionlessly.
Different from the Wyvern force, she thought it was strange that the Dragon Marauders on the ground didn’t come rushing, but looking carefully it was the reverse.
The Wyrm force on the ground that was approaching was slowly loosening the encirclement and began to retreat.
It was to attract the attention of the Drag-Rides, while the slimes that smelled like oil were advancing without being noticed.
It didn’t take much imagination to think about what the new slime could do.
「Dragon Marauder’s division commander Drakkhen…… how outrageous!」
Lisha reflexively bit her fingernail. Philuffy silently advanced forward then.
「If they are allowed to get near further than this, even the cathedral will be blown away. That’s why, I’m going.」
「……Philuffy.」
Lisha muttered shortly.
She understood that in this situation, there was no other way than that.
「But, it looks like the oily slime might end with just this. So, take care of the rest.」
Right after saying that with a serious face, Philuffy drove her Typhon and charged towards the Wyrm force in front without stopping.
Instantly, the enemy army backed away in hurry and aimed the cannon muzzle towards the ground.
There was still some distance until the cathedral, but they intended to explode the slime to avoid getting mixed up in it.
「Biting Flare」
That moment, Philuffy also activated Typhoon’s special armament.
The energy from the armored arm was accumulated, then she grasped the ground in front of her and exploded it.
Right after that, the grey colored slime also caught fire, and an explosion blast and flash covered the visibility of the whole place.
「-……!」
Philuffy held her ground even now while she was swallowed by intense blasts and flames.
She endured using strengthened endurance and barrier that was the characteristic of the land battle type Divine Drag-Ride Typhon.
「──Charge-! Suppress the cathedral using this chance!」
Right after the explosion settled, the Wyrm and Drake forces of Dragon Marauder assaulted.
Everyone of them were holding close range weapons, they charged forward without stopping with the intention to squash any resistance.
Celis and Philuffy couldn’t move properly anymore. They were barely escaping while luring the enemy, but they were mostly unable to attack.
Because the enemy understood that, they too didn’t split too much of their number to pursue the two.
Behind there was only the cathedral that almost collapsed, the noble believers, and then the Drag-Knights of the Sanctuary Knight Order who couldn’t even use their Drag-Rides properly.
Lisha who was in a desperate situation that was driven into a corner could hear communication coming from Dragon Voice.
『How is your well-being, Lisha-san?』
『-……!? This ero woman, where have you been until now!? Eee, in the first place, right now isn’t the time──』
『Is that so? That’s unfortunate. Even though I finally finished laying out traps around the whole area of the cathedral──』
『What……?』
『It’s from the pillar in front of the cathedral until the spot 10 ml from there. Can you lure the enemy until there?』
『You──. No, got it.』
Lisha didn’t understand so far until the specifics of what Yoruka was planning.
But, this girl who was towering above others only in her fighting ability was estimating that there was a chance to bring down the force of Dragon Marauder.
Right now, there was no other option except betting on that.
「GOOO-! It doesn’t matter even if the archbishop is killed! All troops charge!」
The Dragon Marauders on the ground approached loudly. Lisha resolved herself, then she pulled out Tiamat’s Sword Device and took the standard stance.
「──Sanctuary Knight Order, pray to the god later! The last defense is starting from here!」
And then, she called out to the friendly troops at the back who were making expressions of despair with their whole bodies wounded all over.
「I’ll wage war on you Drakkhen! With the way of my own style, as the princess of the New Kingdom!」
Part 10
「Lux-kun-!?」
Lux whose armor was smashed by Mel’s attack fell to the snow field below.
But, before Krulcifer who flew her Fafnir in order to save him, Mel Gizalut was standing in the way.
「──Stop acting like you are worried about other people. Even though you aren’t even a human of this world.」
Mel muttered with bottomless hatred and rage filling her voice.
The Elixir that Mel used was negligible compared to Dilwy who used it on his whole body, but it strengthened her immature body and caused her to possibly use a Divine Drag-Ride for a long time.
On the other hand, Krulcifer’s mind was wrapped in confusion. She was unable to even control Fafnir satisfactorily.
「Why──」
She barely defended against Mel’s attack while muttering with a pained expression.
「Why, is it……」
She had no leeway to go help Lux who was struck down from covering her.
The Drag-Knights of the Sanctuary Knight Order suffered damage from the remaining swarm of Abyss and they were defeated one after another.
Krulcifer herself had been thinking all this time.
That even if she originated from the Ruin and she wasn’t recognized by her family, she still had a place to belong.
But── if it was her who caused the Ruin to rampage and brought calamity to this country──.
「Why am I──」
Things that everyone else had, a place to belong, family, homeland. Even though she couldn’t be accepted by all of those, even so she would fight in order to obtain them. She should have resolved herself like that, and yet.
If she was the cause of the calamity, then even protecting her family using her own hands would be beyond her reach.
If the incident of the rampage was the true, then── there would really be no place for her to belong anymore.
「──There is no need to feel lost. I’ll give you your end here.」
Mel muttered with an empty gaze.
And then, from above Krulcifer who took a stance trying to rally Fafnir, a large cannon was aimed to below.
「Ground Buster!」
*GAUNN!* Along with such thunderous roar, a streamlined warhead that looked like a spire was fired to below.
The moment Ddraig Gwiber in Wyvern Mode fired its other special armament, a shudder ran through Krulcifer.
「Ojou-sama, please escape! That’s a wide range annihilation weapon for use against ground surface! It will break even bedrock underground. A weapon to change the terrain──」
Alterize’s voice came from afar.
At this rate, everyone would get mixed up in it, along with the Old Sanctuary site.
「Stop it already, Mel!」
With a tone that sounded like praying, Krulcifer fired the freezing bullet of Freezing Cannon in an attempt to prevent the attack.
But, Mel muttered right before the frozen warhead hit the ground.
「──Dual Shift」
The Divine Raiment of Ddraig Gwiber was activated, and the freezing was dissolved instantly.
The shell that pierced the stone paving of the Old Sanctuary site and the ground exploded deep underground.
「──!?」
The stone building of the Old Sanctuary and the ground broke into pieces and earth and sand were rolled up like a tornado.
Krulcifer herself was also mixed up in the explosion and she was blown away far to the back.
──Annihilation.
A power that was to the degree that it also dragged Lux and her family into it turned her sight into total darkness.
When strength left her whole body and even her consciousness became distant, the scenery around her suddenly changed completely.
–
「Krulcifer-sama! Are you safe dearimasu!?」
「-…… you are──, Ney?」
Krulcifer was lying on the ground with her armor dispelled. The Automata girl she ordered to stay put was rushing to where she was.
Tears were gathering in her eyes while she softly lifted up Krulcifer’s body in her arms.
「This place──the viewing room? Did you, bring me here?」
「My deepest apologies for acting impertinently dearimasu. But…… I cannot bear to look at supervisor-sama getting even more hurt than this dearimasu.」
Ney cast down her eyes with drooping dog ears.
Several images of light were floating on the surrounding metal walls, reflecting the scene on the ground.
There, she could see the figure of the Sanctuary Knight Order members in a disadvantage from the assault of the remaining Abyss.
There were also the figures of Alterize, and Zain who fought even while in confusion.
She couldn’t see Lux’s figure.
He was directly hit by Mel’s attack from covering for her, she remembered until she was injured but──
「This is not the time for rest. If I don’t go back, to help──」
She stood up and headed to the pedestal at the center of the viewing room.
In order to use the teleportation device and return to over there,
「For what──you will return dearimasu?」
But, Ney’s question that sounded sad stopped Krulcifer in her tracks.
「I overstepped with my words dearimasu. But, in this situation there is nothing that can be done dearimasu. I who haven’t gone to the control room is still not connected with the Ruin’s system. I cannot control the Abyss dearimasu. So──」
–
Ney gazed up to her with the imitation eyes that looked pleadingly.
「It’s fine even if you don’t go anywhere anymore dearimasu. After all, this place is the homeland of Xfer-sama.」
「What do you mean……? Your memory, should not──」
When Ney left the Ruin to the outside world, she forgot most of her internal information.
She should have ordered her so that she couldn’t remember unnecessary memories, and also so that she couldn’t investigate.
When Krulcifer recalled and pointed that out, Ney averted her gaze guiltily.
「I’m sorry…… when I was asked to decipher those three『books』and confirm them, I remembered completely then. Regarding the way this Ruin came to be, and the existence of all of you──」
The Automata who temporarily disconnected her memory and ability as a Gear Leader for the sake of going outside of the Ruin.
If she was able to return to the Ruin, even if she didn’t reach until the control room, it wouldn’t be strange even if she had the function to supplement her ability to a certain degree.
By chance──or perhaps she should have associated the idea seeing that the place was called the archive, Ney seemed to have recovered a part of her memory.
「Then, even my true identity──」
「Yes, Xfer-sama. You are this place’s── one of the ancient human race who established the Ruin. You are the last survivor existing in this Hall dearimasu.」
「……I am, this Ruin’s last──」
Krulcifer who heard what Ney said lost her words from that fact.
Right after that, a terrific impact attacked from above the Hall’s viewing room.
Part 11
「Wha, what are you doing! Mel Gizalut!? Your enemy should be the Abyss!」
The screams of Pope Nias reverberated through the snow field.
The special armament of Ddraig Gwiber’s Wyvern Mode, Ground Buster, its second shot hit the ground right below. The aftershock from that impact also dragged the Sanctuary Knight Order members into it.
No deaths resulted, albeit just barely, but the foothold in the surroundings collapsed, and the Drag-Knights were cornered to a disadvantaged position.
The abandoned building of the Old Sanctuary was already collapsing until no traces of its original shape remained.
「………….」
But, even when the pope reprimanded like that, Mel’s expression didn’t change.
She was just directing that cold gaze that was completely chilled like ice towards the place where Krulcifer vanished.
Thanks to the augmentation from Elixir, the lack of her stamina was compensated, but in exchange she became unable to control her emotions.
Her hatred of Krulcifer and her destructive impulses were completely ruling her body.
「Next bullet, loading……」
The attack wasn’t in the shape of an energy torrent, Ground Buster was a warhead which possessed physical substance. It had to be formed anew every time, so the attack couldn’t be fired consecutively.
The cannon muzzle was kept directed at the Ruins right below, while Mel was hovering in the air.
The battle wouldn’t end until she dealt the final blow to Krulcifer.
Until the outer shell of the Ruin collapsed, she would fire no matter how many times. Sensing that, the members of the Sanctuary Knight Order were shaking.
「……I’ll end this. I’ll destroy something like the Ruin.」
「……Kuh, at this rate──!?」
Alterize desperately swung her twin swords and finished off the remaining Abyss, but she had no leeway in order to protect the wounded comrades and Pope Nias.
She was made to stand at the depths of despair without being able to even aid Lux and Krulcifer.
Part 12
『Transmission……outer wall, half destroyed. Taking refuge to underground is strongly recommended.』
The impact from the Ground Buster that Mel fired destroyed the Hall’s ceiling──the outer crust part, a robotic voice resounded inside the viewing room.
Ney Louches who was sitting on the control seat advised with a flustered face.
「Let’s hide, Xfer-sama! This place is already in danger! Please escape until the underground control room and activate the defense system. If you do that──」
But, even while grimacing from the aftershock of the impact, Krulcifer couldn’t take action.
「What about that rampage incident? That day, one and a half years ago, what happened in this Ruins?」
「That, was……」
「This is an order. Answer me.」
The short words from Krulcifer that weren’t filled with emotion caused Ney to avert her gaze.
And then, after hesitating for a few seconds, she told the truth.
「In the information that I read from the records in the viewing room, Xfer-sama who left from the Ruin returned here again twice, seven years ago and one and a half years ago. It was especially at the second time, due to a blank phenomenon that couldn’t be observed for some reason, everyone other than you died in that place. The reason I chased after Xfer-sama and left my position as the Ruin’s Gear Leader to search for you might be related to that too.」
「And then, at that time the defense of the Ruin reacted, and a rampage occurred──it was, something like that?」
Ney silently showed affirmation to Krulcifer’s question.
Krulcifer who heard the answer leaned on the nearby object and put her hands on it.
She understood the real reason her family was avoiding her.
It wasn’t just because she displayed her talent and strength.
It was because they knew, that she was actually the cause that triggered the Ruin’s rampage and brought calamity to the country.
「Did I, hurt them……? The people of this country, and Mel’s family, everyone──」
「It wasn’t Xfer-sama’s fault dearimasu! It was because everyone tried to use you and me──they tried to use the power of the Ruin dearimasu! That’s why, please forget it already dearimasu!」
「……Forget?」
Ney clung on Krulcifer’s arm and yelled.
「You don’t need to worry dearimasu. If you can regain the remaining function of the Ruin, surely it will be able to protect Xfer-sama dearimasu. I will be by your side dearimasu. Even without getting involved with something like the outside world, you won’t have to worry about anything anymore dearimasu!」
「────」
Keeping away everything at a distance and forgotting it completely.
Krulcifer was struck by Ney’s desperate entreaty and lost her words.
Perhaps it was just as Ney said.
At the very least, there was no more comrades who were of the same ancient race as her in this Hall.
From the start, there was also no ground that could make it possible for her to be recognized as family in the Einvolk house.
Her efforts to get closer to her family was already meaningless.
Both her parents, her brothers, and also her sisters, everyone feared her who made the Ruin rampage.
「……There is already, no meaning for me to return──」
Even though she thought that, why?
Why was it, her legs couldn’t move she wondered.
『If you won’t come out, then I’ll drag you out.』
The image of light projected on the wall surface showed Mel muttering in the air above the collapsed Old Sanctuary site.
And then she bared a gruesome smile and declared her attack towards Krulcifer.
『Disappear, our……the world’s enemy.』
「Run away dearimasu! Xfer-sama──!」
The moment Ney pulled on Krulcifer’s hand, the third shot of Ground Buster was fired to the ground.
If the underground suffered any more explosions than this, everyone would get dragged into a cave-in due to land subsidence.
At that moment when the despair from the absolutely desperate situation crossed the back of her mind, a voice could be heard.
「──Linker Pulse.」
At the same time with the muttering of those words, the warhead of Ground Buster veered sideways. It was radically drawn to a point.
Over there was the figure of Lux. Blood was flowing from his forehead, dying his silver hair red.
The wound stretching from his shoulder towards his chest, and the blood flowing from his forehead, they must be from receiving the fragments from the broken Wyvern.
That Lux was standing while wearing the jet black Divine Drag-Ride Bahamut.
「Lux-sama-!?」
Alterize who saw that yelled. In that moment Bahamut’s Howling Howl sent the drawn warhead flying.
Even while being showered with the aftershock of the explosion impact right after that, Lux didn’t move in the slightest.
「You are also planning to stand in my way?」
Mel whose attack towards the Ruin was prevented sent a fearless smile towards Lux.
It was a wicked smile with condensed hatred in it.
But, it was as though Lux didn’t waver even against that. He returned a straightforward gaze towards Mel.
「I won’t let you hurt Krulcifer-san even more than this.」
「……Hah!」
Mel let out a laugh at Lux’s words, at the same time she made Ddraig Gwiber swoop down.
She swung down that large Halberd from overhead and pursued the dodging Lux with pursuing attack.
「If you are protecting that woman, then you have resolved yourself right?」
The attack of the enraged Mel was becoming monotone although it had strength.
Perhaps because she couldn’t see Krulcifer’s figure, she would try to lure her out by tormenting Lux, or perhaps she was completely driven by emotion and she was losing her thinking ability.
Either way, for the current Lux who still had damage remaining in his body, it was a fortunate situation.
──*zaza, zazazaza-……!*
『Pretty complacent aren’t you? Even though at the Holy Capital your comrades are almost annihilated like this.』
Right after discordant sound that was like a sandstorm resounded, Drakkhen’s voice was sent to Lux’s position.
「…………」
『If you can hear how about replying at least? Well, it’s not the time for that I guess. After all. Mel Gizalut over there is strengthened by Elixir. Even if it’s you, you must be at a loss facing her right?』
「──Dragon Marauder’s division commander Drakkhen. Is this conflict your gambit?」
When Lux responded with a short sentence, a laughter returned.
『You must have heard the rumor right? The ability of the Divine Drag-Ride, Asp that I possess──the power to control sound. I made the sound of Orphel and let Mel hear her fake last words to make her attack you guys.』
「So even that is your aim── how many inhuman things are you intending to pile up?」
Drakkhen telling Lux the truth was in order to seal his combat strength.
She told him that Mel was just an innocent girl who was tricked, that was her tactic to make Lux harbor hesitation so that he would hesitate to attack.
That she purposefully taught him of the situation at the Holy Capital was also in order to shake him.
『Something like a battle where you don’t rack your ingenuity is like you are just searching for an excuse when you lose right from the start. Don’t you think so too? Mister Black Hero.』
But, Lux also noticed Drakkhen’s hidden aim.
He thought of tactics to deal with that while returning his focus to Mel before him.
「──Fine then. Can she keep hiding even when you, her fiancée is almost killed……let’s try it out!」
Mel switched Ddraig Gwiber into Wyrm Mode and came swinging her Halberd consecutively at him.
Lux was pushed towards the remaining foothold, and right after that, his field of vision was enveloped in thick mist and he became unable to see.
「-……!?」
It was a disadvantageous situation for both sides, but it became hard for him to see Mel’s figure and he was unable to see through the preliminary movements of her attacks.
Now it was impossible to use Quick Shot that was the application of Bahamut’s Divine Raiment.
And then, in the situation where he could only see a few ml ahead of him, close quarter combat became the main choice whether he wanted it or not.
Accordingly, Ddraig Gwiber in land battle mode that could accelerate by stepping firmly on the ground was at an overwhelming advantage. And seeing that the opponent possessed anti-aircraft weapons, Lux was also unable to escape to the sky.
He was forced into a one-sided defensive battle before Mel’s attacks broke through his barrier.
The bleeding on his shoulder and head didn’t lessen. Each time Lux blocked the attack using his great sword, the armor he wore was soaked with blood.
But, even so Lux’s expression wasn’t upset.
He did the best he could do in that disadvantage, lured away Mel, and held out in that place.
『Lux-sama! The Abyss extermination over here is finished! I will assist right aw──』
Midway, the few remaining Abyss were finally defeated by Alterize wearing her EX Wyvern.
She communicated that to Lux using Dragon Voice. Lux kept his focus on Mel’s attacks while replying to that.
『If it’s me I’m fine. In exchange please tell Lord Stiyl──Krulcifer-san’s father this. His voice will reach her too if it’s from above the Old Sanctuary site!』
Stiyl was taking a cold and brusque attitude, but all this time he had been showing concern for her.
He intentionally made Lux to stay at the Einvolk house, and nonchalantly probed his relation with Krulcifer.
Lux staked a single hope from his deduction that resulted from that.
In order to save the girl who was important to him once more right now.
Part 13
「Why──de, arimasu?」
It wasn’t Krulcifer, but Ney who was whispering in a daze while watching the battle from the viewing room of the Hall.
「Why is that person, still fighting to that extent even though there is no chance of winning?」
「I see, that’s true isn’t it……」
Why, did she think that she had no ally or anything?
Had she given in to despair, thinking that she had no place in this world now?
–
『However, I just want you to promise me one thing. That no matter what kind of relationship there was between you and I——don’t turn hostile towards me, that our relationship with each other right now won’t change.』
『No matter what happens, I will always be Krulcifer-san’s ally. I promise.』
–
Even though the young man who recognized her made that promise to her before, she completely forgot it.
Even though she knew, that he wouldn’t break an important promise no matter what.
『……Krulcifer-san, can you hear?』
There, Lux muttered while receiving Mel’s fierce attacks on the ground.
『When I was banished from the imperial court of the Arcadia Empire, I was thinking, that perhaps there was no one who would recognize me anymore in this world.』
Whether it was his family that was related to him by blood, or the people who were resenting the imperial family, they all saw Lux as a hated enemy.
Lux who once suffered heartache and felt despair towards the whole world was saved by Philuffy.
『But, I noticed. If it’s really something important, if it’s something that you want, then you must not give up no matter how painful it is. That’s why──I, and Lisha-sama, and everyone else, will become Krulcifer-san’s strength!』
Lux said that and continued to fight.
Krulcifer merely watched wordlessly at that with a wry smile.
「……He is really an exasperating person. After all, he is always unawarely getting hold of a person’s feelings like that.」
‘But, surely it’s like that.’ Krulcifer thought.
Even if the unseen past was toying with her, she had a truth in the present.
That it wasn’t a mistake, for her to fall in love with him.
「Ney, please prepare the transfer to the surface. Also, can you apply the ability in this『book』that has been deciphered completely into Fafnir?」
「Xfer-sama……this is──!?」
「No, my name is Krulcifer you know. That’s why, don’t mistake it from here on.」
「……I understand, dearimasu. Krulcifer-sama.」
Krulcifer once more lifted Fafnir’s Sword Device before her eyes.
And then, when she gazed at the battlefield that was still continuing, she came to hear a single voice.
–
「──You’re wrong! Actually you aren’t to blame for anything! Krulcifer!」
Stiyl Einvolk faced towards the spot where Krulcifer vanished and raised his voice as though to call out to her.
His face wasn’t the usual severe and rigid expression, but an expression that was blurred with impatience and pain.
He responded to Lux’s call and came to this place with his own feet.
「……What does that mean?」
Mel reacted to Stiyl’s shout and turned a chilly gaze and voice towards that direction.
「Seven years ago, the nobles who sniffed your secret took you to the Ruin, and a rampage occurred! It was my duty so that such thing wouldn’t happen, but I couldn’t stop them! And then one and a half years ago, that time even the high officials of the Theocracy turned traitor, tricked you, and brought you to the Ruin which caused that incident!」
「-……!?」
Alterize and Zain, and also the Sanctuary Knight Order members present there who heard that turned speechless and stood still.
「There might still be some wicked bunches who are aiming for you in the Theocracy. That’s why, I thought there is nothing I can do but distancing you from the house! I couldn’t protect you from malice, except by doing that!」
‘That’s why’ ──Stiyl rolled up the sleeve of his coat and took off the glove that he wore even inside his room.
Underneath it, a terrible scar that was running from the right arm’s elbow until the palm was remaining.
『That’s──!?』
Krulcifer who saw that from the viewing room reflexively held her breath.
The memory of that time that was remaining hazily in her mind.
She remembered that someone was desperately saving her, but Stiyl told her that it wasn’t him.
Since that day, Stiyl wore a glove even inside the house and used a cane to walk.
The fact that Krulcifer herself became the impetus of conflict.
Because of that, Stiyl didn’t tell Krulcifer in order to hide that he was seriously injured.
「……It’s an unsightly story! I became unable to fight anymore! I couldn’t protect your wellbeing, except by hurting your heart! That’s why, my daughter……! Don’t be hurt alone just for the sake of a fool like me!」
Stiyl reach out his deeply scarred hand and raised his voice.
At that moment, the flying Ddraig Gwiber fired Ground Buster to right below.
Part 14
「All-out firing at southeast! Fire!」
──At the same time, the Holy Capital.
Around the cathedral where the building had collapsed and the country’s important people were left behind.
Lisha gathered the remaining combat force that was partially destroyed due to the Chaff Slimes and avalanche and took command.
Celis and Philuffy were each fighting hard with their Divine Drag-Rides and lured away the enemy for them, but it was already impossible for them to fight properly in their state. They were only barely avoiding falling into the enemy’s hand.
And then, the force of Dragon Marauder finally surrounded the cathedral and came in full force. Lisha gathered the Drag-Knights of the Sanctuary Knight Order and intercepted the enemy using Cannon attacks.
「The other side has more number of people who can fight! Hold back the enemy faster than they’re coming and prevent them from approaching!」
The spot where the cathedral was located was higher than the surroundings.
Using the difference in angle from that geographical advantage, they drove away the approaching enemy forces that consisted of Wyrms and Drakes.
The Drag-Knights of the Sanctuary Knight Order once broke down due to Drakkhen’s tactics and lost their fighting spirit, but they somehow formed the formation to fight back due to Lisha’s voice and leadership.
「……How long are they going to continue this unsightly, vain struggle!」
The man who was leading Dragon Marauder’s Wyvern force in the air was clicking his tongue while looking at that sight.
In the sky, twelve Legions under Lisha’s control were flying around. They were unable to approach carelessly.
But, she should be tired already, she wouldn’t be able to control the special armaments for long.
Therefore, they didn’t go attacking forcibly, they were standing by while staying alert to the surrounding.
At the same time, although Lisha had gathered the surviving force and fought back to prevent the enemy’s Wyrm force from charging forward, the enemy’s momentum was gradually gaining on them.
Because of the Chaff Slime clinging on Tiamat, her control was dulling and the exhaustion was double than usual.
「Not yet, until Lux comes back, we still──」
Even so, Lisha’s heart wasn’t yielding.
However, the limit finally arrived. The moment the Legion lost control and fell, the battle situation moved.
Part 15
*Zaza-, zazazaza……*
The sound control ability that was the Divine Raiment of Drakkhen’s Divine Drag-Ride Asp.
A voice once more reached towards the position of Lux who was battling Mel using Bahamut, and it happened.
『──How long are you intending not to show your hand? At this rate everyone will die without you giving any instruction whatsoever. Is that what you feel like doing?』
Drakkhen provoked with a sticky tone.
But, Lux didn’t even show any sign of impatience, he replied to her with a calm voice.
「Dragon Marauder’s Human Dragon division commander Drakkhen. I’m not that good at bargaining, but there is something that even I know.」
『……Hoo, what could it be?』
Lux crossed weapons with Mel’s Halberd using his great sword while talking dispassionately.
Inside the heavy fog where his field of vision was blocked, because Mel was constantly approaching him to take the initiative, even though Lux was unable to see her, but by memorizing Mel’s attack pattern he was performing battle where both sides didn’t give any ground to each other.
「The more someone is shaken and impatient, the more they speak. And in the middle they will use some kind of plan. Since some time ago, you were fearing something all this time.」
『…………』
Drakkhen fell silent just for a moment because Lux hit the bull’s eye.
The battle this time looked like it was progressing just as Drakkhen planned with the situation completely within her grasp from beginning to end. But, there was just one point that was shadowing the situation as a risky factor.
Ironically, because Yoruka didn’t match the pace of the other members and took independent action, Drakkhen lost sight of her whereabouts.
She had investigated the information about Yoruka, but even after knowing about her preeminent sword skills and the true shape of her Divine Raiment Spell Code which could steal the control authority of other Drag-Rides, her existence was still troublesome in the extreme.
This, Drakkhen was engaging with Lux in conversation since some time ago to search for her whearabouts.
「Haven’t you noticed? Her whereabouts is──……」
『……!?』
Suddenly, the sound that Drakkhen was picking from Lux’s surrounding was getting distant.
Drakkhen hurriedly raised the sensitivity of the sound picking to the maximum to try to make out the sound at the end, in that instant──she caught Mel’s voice first.
「I should have taught you, that there is no place to escape in the sky though?」
『What are──?』
The moment Drakkhen muttered that, her world suddenly burst out.
*DOOOOoooOONN!*
「──GU, GAaAAAAAaaaAAAAAAAH……!」
*Butsun*, her eardrums were torn and her skull was stirred up.
The thunderous sound that felt like the atmosphere was ruptured painted over everything and pain stabbed into her brain.
「U, GUa……!」
It was her remaining right ear’s eardrum that barely picked up her own groan.
The camouflage function that was being used by special equipment-type Asp was dispelled.
「What, just……happened!?」
When Drakkhen who was picking up sound from Lux’s surrounding murmured, an answer came back.
「Reload on Fire──it compressed the air vibration at my surrounding and then strengthened it until several times over.」
「──!? You bastard-!」
Drakkhen held her breath in surprise hearing those words that were said concisely.
Ddraig Gwiber’s special armament, Aerial Buster.
It scattered fuel that was refined and turned into vapor in the air, and then exploded the fuel along with the air. An anti-aircraft weapon.
Lux’s tactic was making use of that thunderous sound that was so loud it pierced the eardrum.
Drakkhen manipulated sound to transmit information back to herself. Lux used it against her.
『I found her──Aruji-sama.』
Instantly, Yoruka’s voice reached Lux through Dragon Voice.
Drakkhen’s Asp was hiding in the snowy landscape of the Holy Capital using camouflage function, but because the Asp was picking up the thunderous sound just now, the sound was also transmitted to the surroundings. Her position was pinned down from that.
「Ku──!?」
『Then, let’s start it anytime now. The tactic of ours.』(Yoruka)
Part 16
「Wha──!?」
The whole force of Dragon Marauder that was charging towards the collapsed cathedral suddenly stopped moving and their faces went pale.
The barrier of string that was laid out at the surroundings was tinged with the light of a Divine Raiment.
「Special armament String of Spider──and then, Spell Code.」
The moment Yoruka who was standing on the nearby bell tower overlooking the cathedral muttered that, the light of Divine Raiment that Yato no Kami emitted was transmitted through the string and restricted the movement of the Dragon Marauder forces.
The special armament of unseen steel string possessed by Yato no Kami.
It was laid out literally like a spider’s web, and then, the prey were simultaneously caught by the Divine Raiment Spell Code.
Yoruka requested Lisha to intercept the enemies wasn’t just for buying time to lay out the string.
It was also to thin out the enemy’s consciousness towards the string with their attention diverted by this side’s counterattack.
Thus──
「U, AAAAAH!?」
「What the hell is this!? The Drag-Ride’s control, isn’t working!?」
About half of Dragon Marauder’s Drag-Knights were caught in Spell Code’s effect instantly and they attacked the remaining half that was able to move.
Friendly fire.
While frenzied screams were echoing, the remaining Sanctuary Knight Order members also counterattacked and the enemy number was reduced with accelerated speed.
When Lisha’s face peeked out from the collapsed cathedral to the outside, the number of enemy Drag-Knights who were able to move properly had been reduced to one.
It was only the division commander of Dragon Marauder who was hiding until now while manipulating the battlefield, the commander Drakkhen.
「That damn ero woman, making us get cold sweat like that.」
Even while having cold sweat trickling from her forehead, Lisha was looking up at that sight with a fearless grin.
Because she was continuously using Tiamat for a long time while receiving the encroachment of Chaff Slime, her exhaustion was reaching the limit.
Far from using the Divine Raiment, she was already unable to even use the special armaments. Maintaining her armor was just something she was barely able to do.
But, she mustn’t collapse even with her current condition.
The noble believers waiting for rescue inside the collapsed cathedral.
And then the members of the Sanctuary Knight Order who were wounded or falling into a state unfit for fighting.
She couldn’t show her unsightly appearance in order to keep up their morale too.
Also in order to become a worthy princess for Lux who became her knight, she mustn’t run out of strength until the very end.
「To think, he has this kind of hand up his sleeve…… ──!?」
Drakkhen was muttering with an anguished expression while pressing on her right ear with a broken eardrum.
Right after that, she noticed the vibration of air from behind her and she barely blocked the sword flash attacking her.
「My, you are more capable than I thought. Even though I planned to approach by killing my presence.」
「Kirihime, Yoruka……!?」
The extra-large Blade that Yoruka’s Yato no Kami wielded and the sharp claws stretching out from the armored arm of Drakkhen’s Asp crossed each other with scattered sparks.
「──But, that too is at an end.」
But, even with that Yoruka’s advantage was unshakeable.
The Divine Raiment that could control other Drag-Rides just by touching it, Spell Code. As long as she had that, it was meaningless just by blocking her attack.
「Damn it-!?」
When Yoruka tried to snatch the control of the Drag-Ride Drakkhen was wearing, the Divine Raiment’s red pattern emerged out but── for some reason the red letters weren’t transmitted to Asp and they stopped flowing.
「──Not. Don’t look down on me. I have prepared countermeasures─against all of you!」
Her eyes were bared open at the same time as her voice, then she slashed with the claws stretching out from her other armored arm.
Yoruka quickly backed away and dodged it. She then noticed the secret of the trick Drakkhen used.
「You have a very interesting preparation there.」
The katana-shaped Blade that Yato no Kami possessed, black viscous liquid was clinging on its blade.
Chaff Slime.
It didn’t have any physical attack power at all, but it could dull a Drag-Ride’s control and lower its specs. This new type Abyss was controlled using Asp’s sound wave to make it stick only at the armor’s surface.
The ability of the Divine Raiment Spell Code could only affect Drag-Rides.
Drakkhen’s tactic took advantage of that blind spot and used an Abyss as a shield.
「I’ve said it but, the Asp that I’m wearing still has Chaff Slime inside. No matter even if it’s someone skilled like you, you won’t be able to defeat me.」
「Do you really think that after just one cheap trick like this?」
But, Yoruka didn’t look perturbed at all, she returned a cold smile and snapped open her eyes.
Purple iris. The devil eye in her right eye that had Baptism applied to it shined mysteriously. It instantly caught the figure of Drakkhen leaping backward──Yoruka jumped.
「──!?」
The special move that read the wavelength of the opponent’s consciousness, aiming to attack at the moment there was a pause in it──Instant Strike.
Drakkhen felt that she was being exposed to the verge of death. Even so when she tried to carry out the plan that was the finishing blow, she already acted.
「Hell Choir」
Right above the collapsed cathedral, Asp jumped on the ceiling where there was fallen snow remaining and both its hands crawled through it.
The snow collapsed due to the vibration of sound wave, and a lot of snow poured down towards Lisha and the others who were below.
「Watch, out-……! Everyone, retreat inside!」
Lisha’s consciousness was already hazy, but she activated Suppressor with her last strength.
While the falling mass of snow was held back by gravity control, the Sanctuary Knight Order members evacuated inside.
「No good, I already──」
Finally even Lisha who was supported by her spirit reached her limit.The Divine Raiment of Suppressor cut off, and following after that her armor was dispelled. Mass of snow was pouring down from above, and her whole body was completely buried with white.
(Am I dead? In this kind of place──?)
Her whole sight was swallowed by snow and her consciousness turned distant.
At the end, Lisha saw a black shadow.
Part 17
*PAKIN-!* The warhead that froze instantly fell on the floor of the Old Sanctuary.
Before the Ground Buster that Mel fired impacted, a Drag-Ride prevented that from happening.
「Krulcifer……!? You──」
The father Stiyl noticed her, but he was astonished by her appearance. The eldest brother Zain was also speechless.
Lux and Alterize held their breaths at the same time.
「……Is that your true appearance I wonder?」
Mel who was looking down from above wasn’t perturbed. She showed a belligerent smile.
Krulcifer looked up quietly towards her and told the answer.
「I guess. This is the proof that I am related by blood to the first clan──the ancient race of people who brought the Ruins into this world.」
In response, Krulcifer answered the question indifferently.
The obvious answer was right there.
The shape of Fafnir that was covering her body wasn’t any different from usual at a glance.
But looking closer, the machine and the body were glued closely to each other even deeper compared to the appearance when she was wearing the armor normally.
──No, it wasn’t at the level of being glued closely, her arms and legs were assimilated into the machine itself.
Above Krulcifer’s white skin, red lines that resembled the pattern carved on the surface of a Sword Device were flowing like tattoos.
「Full Connect. The form that accomplished fusion with the Drag-Ride, that can only be used by Xfer, the caln that was the one who developed the Drag-Rides and possessed the greatest Drag-Ride aptitude values. With this strength that was sleeping in the archives of Ruin, I’ll drive you away, Mel.」
「Krulcifer-san!?」
Lux who was breathing hard gasping for air called out to her uneasily.
Krulcifer who noticed that smiled calmly towards Lux.
「Let’s talk later. You go to save the princess and the others. I’m fine already, that’s why──I’ll show you, that I can protect my family.」
Seeing that smile that was filled with deep affection, Lux was convinced.
She wasn’t losing her sanity or anything like Mel.
She was standing here once again with the confidence and pride that she had built up, just like her usual self.
「──I’ll leave it to you.」
Lux said that and made Bahamut skate in the sky.
His figure instantly became far away with a speed that was several levels above when he was crossing swords with Mel just now.
After seeing that off, Mel stood up on the broken ceiling of the Old Sanctuary and glared at Krulcifer.
「I won’t let you get away for sure this time, I will, without fail──crush you.」
「I myself──will teach you. The thing that I’m actually wishing for, and the thing that you have to obtain.」
Mel who was sneering with a shadowed expression, and Krulcifer who was staring straight at her.
The two’s Drag-Rides moved simultaneously and the battle began.
Part 18
「-……!? U, a……」
Lisha was buried under the mass of snow, but she noticed the sensation of being carried by something and her consciousness returned.
「Lu, x……?」
「How unfortunate. It’s not actually just as you wish.」
When Lisha opened her eyes weakly with a vague consciousness, she saw before her Yoruka wearing a black pilot suit.
「You──……-!?」
A beat later, Lisha grasped the situation.
Yoruka’s Yato no Kami that let go of its Blade rescued Lisha from the snow using its armored arms.
「Wh, y? Did you get Drakkhen?」
「If I overlook you getting buried alive, then that might have actually been what happened just now.」
Yoruka formed a smile on her lips with a tone that was unusually cynical.
Right after Drakkhen shook off the snow on the cathedral using sound waves, Yoruka didn’t continue her attack and came to rescue Lisha.
The action of the girl who wouldn’t get along with other people at all and swore loyalty to only Lux caused Lisha to reflexively doubt her own eyes.
「Kukukuku. This result is unexpected. Well, thanks to that my victory is set in stone so I’m saved though.」
Drakkhen’s laughing voice came from above the cathedral.
Even Lisha managed to understand the meaning of her confidence.
「O, oi ero woman, that Drag-Ride──!」
「Yes, she really is a wary enemy. It looks like the aforementioned slime was also placed inside the snow above this building since who knows when.」
The armor of Yato no Kami was already covered with a lot of Chaff Slime.
If the armor had been completely covered by this much, no matter how excellent Yoruka was in handling her Drag-Ride, she was surely unable to fight like this.
But, Yoruka too should also understand such thing.
「Why……for the sake of just me──」
「It’s simple.」
Yoruka answered with her usual smile towards the dumbfounded Lisha.
「You are one of the special and beneficial existences for Aruji-sama. ──I was able to decide that there is no mistaking that. It will be a waste to let you die here, that’s all there is to it.」
The reason for Yoruka’s action was for the sake of her master Lux until the end.
But it wasn’t like before, where she was only protecting Lux’s existence. The feelings of her master Lux──for the first time Yoruka took it into consideration and acted.
「……Yoruka, you」
Lisha noticed that and she was about to say something, it was then,
「Besides──you have an important job to do. It is undesirable for the candidate bodies that will give birth to Aruji-sama’s heir to be reduced even by one.」
「Whaa-……!?」
Yoruka’s words that she spoke with a carefree smile caused Lisha’s face to turn red spontaneously.
「Do, don’t say strange things so suddenly-! Just what do you think I am──?」
「My? So you don’t have any inclination for that? Even though it looks like you wish to be married for life with Aruji-sama and think really strongly of him.」
「Tha, that’s……! Tha, that isn’t it, there is various order to everything, you see. Spe, specifically, on the next date, if I can progress until holding hands together──」
When Yoruka pointed that out to Lisha, her face blushed and she averted her face while entwining her fingers together.
At the same time, Drakkhen who was watching that situation finally grew impatient and she was descending down.
「Looks like you two are really composed there but, you guys don’t have a combat force remaining anymore──. With this, it’s the end!」
She lifted up the claws on both her armored arms, then she swung them down while falling.
Even now in this situation where she couldn’t move because of the Chaff Slime, Yoruka’s smile didn’t crumble.
「Yes, the end is near it seems. ──For you that is.」
「──!?」
Right before Yoruka’s murmur was over, Drakkhen held her breath in sudden realization.
A crossing of Drag-Rides happened within an instant along with the roaring sound of slicing wind.
*GAKII-!* Asp’s sharp claws that were lifted up narrowly blocked that attack.
Lux wearing the black violent dragon, Bahamut was slashing towards Drakkhen.
「──Ku, you bastard-!? You are saying you’ve finished off that Mel!?」
Drakkhen groaned with a shocked look, but Lux wasn’t perturbed.
Without pause Lux finished swinging his sword to the end forcefully, sending Drakkhen flying from midair towards the snow field in the distance.
「Lux! So you came──…… your wound!?」
Lisha showed her joy that her knight came running to here, but her face instantly became clouded.
The wounds that he got after covering Krulcifer from Mel’s attack resulted in a thin cut from his shoulder until his chest, and blood flowing from his head. His silver hair and half his face were dyed red.
「I’m sorry for my tardiness. Also, please don’t worry. I’m all right.」
But, Lux didn’t show a pained expression in the slightest and replied with a bright smile.
His expression immediately turned serious. A firm fighting spirit could be sensed from it.
「……Got it. Beat up that fiend to your heart’s content. I’m leaving it to you, my knight.」
「Yes, as you will.」
After Lux responded with a gentle tone, Lisha seemed to reach the limit of her exhaustion. Her eyes closed quietly and she fainted.
Lux turned his face towards Yoruka who was carrying her in the arms of Yato no Kami.
「Yoruka. Can I ask you to protect everyone in the cathedral while I’m fighting?」
「That’s an easy request, Aruji-sama.」
Yoruka nodded while a delighted emotion vaguely showed through from her. She then headed towards the cathedral.
A lot of Chaff Slime was clinging throughout Yato no Kami, but if it was with her ability, she would surely be able to hold out to some extent.
「Also──thank you. For saving everyone of the Theocracy and Lisha-sama.」
「…………」
Yoruka was always wearing a smile, but her eyes unusually turned round hearing Lux’s words.
But, she immediately wore her usual smile and quietly cast down her gaze.
「I feel ashamed. Originally this is not something for Aruji-sama to be bothered with, I would have to deal with that bandit too while I’m at it. That was my essential duty. But──」
She opened that asymmetrical pair of eyes once more and murmured with a feverish smile.
「I’m feeling content right now just from directly receiving your words of praise. ──Take care, Aruji-sama.」
Lux nodded at Yoruka’s words and turned his gaze towarda Drakkhen.
In response, Drakkhen used the tone of horn flute to order the Chaff Slime inserted into Asp’s armor, removing them from the Drag-Ride’s frame.
「Are you intending to carry some kind of plan again?」
「No-pe, this is the opposite. I’m throing away the plan.」
Drakkhen smiled and shook her head towards Lux’s question.
「The amount of Chaff Slime is already insufficient to cover the whole armor of your Bahamut. Then, it’s not a good plan to keep weighing down my own Drag-Ride. After all it seems your Bahamut has quite the firepower.」
In other words, it was a plan to concentrate only on her battle against Lux.
At the same time, it also meant that until now Drakkhen devoted herself wholly to moving soldiers and Abyss while she hadn’t shown her individual combat strength.
「Fifty Abyss and sixty Drag-Knights that I was leading are now out of combat huh. For me to be cornered until this far in a battle under this condition──the bunch from the New Kingdom also ain’t half bad.」
Drakkhen muttered fearlessly wearing her Asp. She lifted the sharp claws on her armored arms.
Even now when she judged that her force was completely annihilated, her expression was composed.
「You dragged in a lot of unrelated people, you tricked Mel who didn’t know anything, are you calling that a respectable battle?」
「Don’t spout out idealistic things here mister hero. What is called war is always like that, even if it looks like there is no blood flowing in your sight, there will be someone somewhere who is hurt and lost something. Just like how we in the past were also forced to fight under absurd reasons and conditions by incompetent noble big shots.」
「──Understood. If that is your style, then I will just capture you, with my position and method as a Seven Dragon Paladin.」
Lux brandished his great sword and stared straight towards Drakkhen.
In response, the female mercenary grinned fearlessly and readied the hard claws growing from both the armored arms.
「Let’s start this anytime now, Black Hero. Dragon Marauder’s Human Dragon division commander, Drakkhen Megistry, and the Divine Drag-Ride Asp──will take you on-!」
At the same time as that announcement, Asp’s four legs moved and rushed forward with a leap.
The armored arm with sharp claws growing was held aloft, and an attack from overhead was unleashed.
Part 19
North east of the Holy Capital──the Old Sanctuary.
The attacking Abyss were already dead. In the sky above the snow field and the abandoned building, two Drag-Knights were battling.
「You finally got serious. My suffering won’t settle down with just venting my anger!」
Mel who switched Ddraig Gwiber into Wyvern Mode sharply skated in the sky and charged.
She lightly wielded the Halberd that was a heavy weapon and struck. That aggression was like a storm.
But, Krulcifer wasn’t perturbed. She saw through it and dodged with the smallest movements.
She wasn’t just simply fast, because the senses of the Drag-Ride were connected with her reflex nerves, her reaction speed was superhuman.
Thanks to being linked to her Drag-Ride using Full Connect, she was able to move with far more precision compared to before.
With her evasion that came from the mobility that was the trait possessed by Fafnir, she glidingly dodged the attack of Mel who came striking with her Halberd coming from all directions. She didn’t miss the instant of an opening and took it.
「──Freezing Cannon.」
The flash that was fired from the rifle-shaped special armament hit, freezing the armor of Ddraig Gwiber. ──But, even though Mel was hit from the back, that ice instantly melted.
「The ice melt even when it’s frozen from the back──as I thought that ability isn’t a type of special armament, is it?」
The true nature of Mel Gizalut, the strongest and youngest Drag-Knight in the Ymir Theocracy.
It was doubtlessly her prodigious sense that was able to freely control the Divine Drag-Ride that she possessed, Ddraig Gwiber which had both land battle form and flying form.
She was able to freely control the special mechanism of a Divine Drag-Ride that was already difficult to handle even at the best of times, and she created tactics to put it to practical use using her flexible imagination.
Then, it didn’t matter that the functions of her Drag-Ride was drastically increased on the whole, it was still inadequate to defeat Mel.
The mystery of Ddraig Gwiber’s Divine Raiment.
She would be defeated if she didn’t expose the secret.
「You’ve become a bit better. But speed of that level won’t catch up with my strength!」
Mel bared a wicked smile and her Ddraig Gwiber skated in the sky once more.
However, at the present where the Fafnir’s mobility was superior, she should still be able to evade somehow──but,
「-……!?」
*GOU-!* Intense squall pushed Mel’s back and she approached with a speed that surpassed Krulcifer’s prediction.
Fafnir’s Auto Shield quickly activated and narrowly blocked Mel’s Halberd attack, but Mel instantly let go of the Halberd and punched with both of her armored arms.
「──!?」
Although she was taken by surprise, this time her barrier blocked the blow of the armored arms.
Seeing that right now was a good chance with the opponent’s attack staved off, Krulcifer quickly readied her Freezing Cannon. In that moment, Mel’s flesh and blood arms let go from the armored arms and gripped her Sword Device.
「──!」
「You should have used Future Sight beforehand. ──It’s impossible though.」
By causing the Auto Shield to be spread in front of Krulcifer’s eyes, it also stole her field of vision in reverse.
Mel released a blow using her armored arms in a flash, then she slashed using her Sword Device through the gap.
The tip of the Sword Device pierced the barrier and cut Krulcifer’s upper arm.
「Kuuh……!」
She grimaced from the pain, and the strength of the hand that was holding the rifle dropped.
Mel grinned fearlessly and she swooped down to pick up the Halberd she let go.
「Even though you are a machine human, but your blood is red isn’t it?」
Mel flew within inches from the snow field before she swooped up and attacked once more.
「──Ojou-sama-!」
Alterize yelled with two swords in hand but──
「Don’t interfere, this child’s opponent is me. ──You protect Tou-san and the others for me.」
「You are still planning to put on the air like a human family?」
Mel ascended once more and attacked with Halberd in hand.
Krulcifer reflexively fired her Freezing Cannon, but this time it passed through Mel’s afterimage and didn’t hit.
Furthermore heavy fog that was rising up before she realized was covering the field of vision in the area.
「This is the end Krulcifer. Orphel’s revenge──!」
The Auto Shield activated and blocked the Halberd’s attack──but, for some reason the seven shields that moved automatically were repelled and without stopping the attack hit.
「Ku, u……!?」
The barrier was scraped off and the impact pierced through the armor and ran through the body. Perhaps because of the Full Connect, she could feel the damage to the armor more strongly.
But, thanks to the armor and her body being assimilated, she noticed the existence of high temperature on her whole body.
「──I understand now Mel. The true identity of your Ddraig Gwiber’s, Divine Raiment……!」
Right after she barely muttered that, Krulcifer was thrown to the ground, breaking through the ceiling of the Old Sanctuary that was still remaining.
Part 20
The mercenary who was known as The Battlefield’s Instrumentalist, Drakkhen.
Lux personally experienced, how she reached the point of being called a legend after wandering from battlefield to battlefield.
Her ability as a capable commander, her stratagem in intelligence and bargaining.
And then, the existence of the Divine Drag-Ride Asp.
But, just by facing her, it was conveyed that her battle wasn’t that generous that she could survive with just those.
「I’m fired up……! It has been a long time you know, since there was a guy who reached until where I am after all my plans were used up!」
She lifted up the steel claws that stretched out sharply and unleashed a consecutive attack with intense speed.
Horizontal slash, upper thrust, downswing, slashing lines from every direction were running in the air, dazzling Lux’s eyes.
(Fast──. No, it’s getting faster!)
It wasn’t anything like an elegant sword technique following standard form. But, that irregular movement that wasn’t trapped within form became the one thing that exactly robbed Lux from an option instead.
The operation of Quick Shot, the special move that made use of Bahamut’s Divine Raiment, Reload on Fire.
After completely predicting the opponent’s preliminary motion, the time was compressed and a strengthened consecutive slash was unleashed. The move contained strength that could instantly make the opponent unable to fight, but──
(This attack pattern, it’s also doubling as buying for time?)
The preliminary motion of the disordered claw attack would be hard to read through in a short time.
Was she deciding to first seal Lux’s Quick Shot seeing that it would be disadvantageous for him the more time passed because he was already bleeding a lot?
(Then──)
Lux quickly put his breathing in order, pulled Bahamut’s great sword and took a stance.
But, Drakkhen who saw that shortened the tips of Asp’s claws a bit while at the same time fire burst out from the back of the four legs. She drew near with explosive momentum.
「──!」
Even while feeling surprised at the unexpected action, Lux unleashed a hidden technique of Drag-Ride control.
Quick Draw──by doing body control operation and mind control operation in harmony, it would unleash just a single attack at godspeed.
──But, when it was unleashed, the distance with Asp was too close and the sword couldn’t finish swinging to the end.
The moment it was blocked, Drakkhen lunged with her sharp claws and pierced Bahamut’s barrier, stabbing shallowly on Lux’s shoulder.
Fresh blood spurted out and Lux’s face grimaced slightly.
「Ku……!」
The super high speed slash Quick Draw couldn’t be avoided if the target only started dodging after seeing it.
Thus, Lux had a hunch seeing Drakkhen’s reaction that saw through the sign that he would use his hidden technique.
That even though this should be their first time crossing swords, but this female mercenary had come here with countermeasure against Lux that was based on enormous preliminary investigations.
「Howling Howl!」
Lux unleashed Howling Howl and pushed Asp back from their close distance against each other.
And then he changed his hold of the great sword into a backhand grip, and took a stance of drawing it far behind.
The jet black armor started creaking and shaking.
It was the stance to unleash a super powerful attack that put a Drag-Ride’s rampage to practical use──Recoil Burst.
「The guy called the Black Hero is really scary eh. If you put too much burden on that body, it won’t end up prettily for you, right?」
Drakkhen grinned smugly and the four legs of Asp moved.
She leaped far backward and took distance. Furthermore she took a stance of thrusting out the sharp claws on both her hands, and from there small Daggers were fired consecutively.
It wasn’t an attack that was concentrated to one spot, but a buckshot of scattered blades.
It was a countermeasure against Recoil Burst in order to prevent Lux’s approach.
But, against Drakkhen’s countermeasure that even looked like she was reflexively taking the optimum action, Lux too also reflexively carried out an action.
「──Recoil Burst.」
The accumulated super attack was unleashed in a downswing along with that short murmur.
The great sword that was swung from outside the range cut apart the snowfield right under without pause.
「……-!?」
The ground surface was blown up by the impact as though it was exploded, driving away the rain of blades.
At the same time at that moment when the field of vision was blocked by the bursting up snow and soil, Lux twisted his body and flew.
The Recoil Burst became protection against the buckshot as well as a smoke screen at the same time.
Drakkhen who was taken by surprise gazed in wonderment. Right after that Bahamut’s slash was unleashed from a blind spot.
But, Drakkhen leaped at the last moment and evaded it.
Because it was a Divine Drag-Ride of special equipment type, she could detect the movement of Drag-Rides using Radar.
If she didn’t have that, the attack just now would have decides it.
But, Lux too also wasn’t finished just with his move getting defended against.
He stepped into the range of the opponent who was unbalanced and attempted to connect to the next slash, but at that instant, this time Drakkhen’s Asp released Howling Howl from its head part.
「──I won’t let you.」
The air whirled and Lux was blown away by the howl. The battle situation was back to square one once again.
Drakkhen had predicted that if she blocked against the slash normally, Lux would be able to connect it into the third hidden technique, End Action.
*Huff huff*, Lux who was unleashing his full strength despite his wound was breathing hard.
Drakkhen who saw that also took a slight breather.
Drakkhen had anticipated Bahamut that Lux possessed, and the technique Quick Shot from the Divine Raiment Reload on Fire.
Furthermore she also executed countermeasures against the three hidden techniques of Drag-Ride control. But Lux counterattacked after seeing through that.
Several tactics had crossed in the span of a few moments, the surrounding atmosphere was tinged with heat.
「The countermeasures that I piled up in preparation against you didn’t end up useless in the end──yet, even then they are still slightly insufficient I guess. Looks like it’s not an exaggeration that you destroyed 1200 Drag-Knights of the Old Empire.」
Lux didn’t respond to Drakkhen’s talkativeness.
He merely took a stance with his great sword quietly and adjusted his breathing by exhaling out white breath.
「However, the more I fight you the more I don’t get it. Why are you working under a country until that far?」
「What does that mean?」
「Simple. If you have that much skill and strength, you can get a better position. If you desire it, then you will be promised with wealth and authority as much as you want. And yet why──why are you swearing loyalty to such a country?」
The collar of a criminal that was fixed on Lux’s neck.
Lux lightly touched that object that was carved with the crest of the New Kingdom.
「This is──the proof of admonition that I wish myself. I failed to change the Old Empire, this is my responsibility as an imperial family.」
「Haha! That’s a gullible mind you’ve got there. To intend to fight for someone else’s sake when you understand that you’re disposable──then!」
Drakkhen pulled back the armored arm with sharp claws growing from it, and took a stance.
And then, she sharpened her killing intent to the utmost limit and faced Lux in front of her.
「I’ll stop inviting you to be my subordinate. Stay as a foolish child, clinging to a sweet dream…… I’ll end your fight right here, right now!」
But at the same time, Lux too wasn’t stirred in the slightest. He directed a cold gaze towards Drakkhen.
「──Tuning, on.」
The moment he muttered that, countless images of light that displayed a Drag-Ride’s information emerged around Bahamut.
Drakkhen who saw that kicked on the ground, and leaped.
「It doesn’t matter even if it’s a reckless ideal. For the sake of my and those girls’ wish, I’m──going to win!」
Part 21
After going through the ceiling of the Old Sanctuary, at the very least Krulcifer should be somewhat seriously damaged.
But, what appeared from inside the dust smoke was an unharmed Krulcifer.
Mel definitely felt a response when her attack hit.
The wall off automatic defense, the Auto Shield should have been broken through too , but──
「I finally understand. The true shape of your Divine Raiment──, it’s temperature isn’t it?」
「…………」
Mel frowned hearing the answer that Krulcifer said indifferently.
Alterize protected the father Stiyl and the eldest son Zain while she held her breath in sudden realization.
「Temperature……? That ability capable of ever-changing appearance, came from only one thing?」
「Yes, that’s right.」
Krulcifer accepted it and continued calmly.
「The freezing bullet of my Freezing Cannon was melted, and the ability to freeze the opponent. Creating fog by melting the snow. Causing squall using temperature difference, showing illusion of light using thermal expansion of atmosphere. And then──granting high heat to other Drag-Rides, downing the control function.」
Ddraig Gwiber’s temperature control Divine Raiment.
Mel applied only that one Divine Raiment to produce countless tactics.
Added with her style that was leveraging the Divine Drag-Ride’s trait to freely switch between land battle mode and flying mode, she was really worthy of the name of Genius Drag-Knight.
Most likely, even Krulcifer wasn’t a match against her in the sense of pure Drag-Knights.
If there were a few more years, the girl might surpass her.
But──
「I’m sorry, Mel. Because of a different reason from two years ago──I cannot lose against you.」
Her own weakness that gave up meeting her family halfway because she was under the impression that she was rejected.
She was suffering from loneliness as the result of only chasing after her past in the Ruin while hiding her true wish.
However, Lux and everyone else of the New Kingdom were fighting while risking their lives for the sake of someone like her.
No──her father Stiyl was also fighting for her sake from several years ago.
In that case, she couldn’t falsify her own feelings.
She couldn’t be scared anymore of using this special power as a Xfer.
「Let’s settle this Mel. There is something that I have to convey to you no matter what.」
「──Hah」
What confronted her was a violent smile that was like a devil.
But, Krulcifer knew that behind that face that was painted over with hatred, it was hiding sadness that could break the girl down anytime.
The despair from losing all her family in her childhood.
And even though she had obtained the strength of a first class Drag-Knight, she let even Orphel, who was like a parent to her, die.
She used Elixir to escape from the pain. Mel’s heart was falling into darkness.
But──
「You actually know, don’t you, Mel? That before her death, Bishop Orphel……didn’t say anything like telling you to kill me who appeared to be the cause of the rampage.」
「-…….!?」
The expression of Mel who heard that distorted slightly, a crack entered her devil mask.
「She was already unable to speak. Drakkhen of Dragon Marauder used that, she talked to you using Orphel’s voice. You were only being led astray by that.
「──Wrong. There is no way that’s true! That time, Orphel definitely-……!」
Mel groaned while pressing on her forehead with her flesh and blood hand.
The face of Orphel lying down with a pained expression and soaked with blood flashed in the back of her mind.
She became desperate and spoke her last words to Mel.
『Kill Krulcifer. The demon who was the cause that stole everything, your family and the country’s peace……take revenge even if it costs you your life──』
That was why, Mel was,
「……UAAaaAaH!?」
Intense headache and dizziness.
At that time, Orphel’s voice told her that.
She certainly heard that, but.
「The person called Orphel inside you, is she a woman who would say such thing towards you? She would tell you to kill your enemy even if you have to pay with your life? Is she someone who can mercilessly say that to you, while you were already gasping for breath from the burden of using a Drag-Ride at that time……」
「Ku, AAaAH!」
Mel shrieked in response to Krulcifer’s question.
It felt like a fire hook was ransacking the insides of her head, everything became mixed up messily inside.
──Wrong, wrong wrong wrong!
I have to kill Krulcifer no matter what.
I have to take revenge!
Orphel, she, said that to me, with her cooling hand in my grasp──
「Don’t speak! You who aren’t even a human of this world! Don’t speak of ORPHEEeeeLL!」
Mel drove Ddraig Gwiber forward while screaming.
It skated in land battle form before transforming at high speed into flying form.
From below to above, she unleashed an attack using halberd with a momentum that was like an erupting volcano.
「──Full Connect – On」
In response, the moment Krulcifer muttered that, the seven shields of Auto Shield detached from Fafnir and took position around Mel.
At the same time their surface formed a force field of blue light.
「──!?」
Krulcifer intervened in the Drag-Ride’s command order for the special armament that would originally move automatically, and altered their operation.
Right after that, Krulcifer pulled the trigger of Freezing Cannon towards the deployed shields.
The beam of normal bullet that was fired impacted one of the shields floating around Mel. Immediately after that──for some reason an impact ran through the left arm of Ddraig Gwiber from behind.
「Ricochet bullet……!? Using the shield in that way──!」
Mel was surprised seeing the new tactic, even so she began her attack. Krulcifer completely grasped her movement.
Using the senses and super reaction speed she obtained from Full Connect, she sniped Mel who was charging forward at a super accelerated speed.
Blue flash. First it was freezing bullet to stop her momentum and offensive.
Weaving through the instantaneous gap while Ddraig Gwiber’s Divine Raiment was thawing the frozen part, Krulcifer aimed to bring Mel down using ricochet shooting from seven directions.
──But, even now when her weapon was instantly frozen, Mel’s momentum didn’t stop.
「DON’T UNDERESTIMATE MEE!」
She used her left armored arm that almost broke as shield to cover the Halberd that her right hand was holding.
She removed the arm’s armor the moment it froze and without pause she forcefully let out an attack.
「Wha-……!?」
The attack that was released at the risk of Mel’s life took Krulcifer by surprise. But, even then Fafnir’s mobility was slightly superior.
After Krulcifer barely dodged the sure kill attack, squall struck from above to knock her down.
Her path of escape──was predicted.
The mist enshrouding the area was groundwork to shut down the Divine Raiment of future foresight, Wise Blood, beforehand.
Thus, this result was inevitable inside Mel’s heart.
As long as Krulcifer’s future foresight was sealed because she was unable to see due to the mist covering the field of vision, she would be unable to surpass Mel and Ddraig Gwiber.
Fafnir’s barrier was pierced through and she aimed at the shoulder──toward the Force Core.
It was an unavoidable perfect timing. With this, Mel’s victory should be set in stone, but,
「What──!?」
Fafnir’s left armored arm that wasn’t holding the Rifle barely blocked that Halberd.
The deadly attack was averted even at the cost of breaking one arm.
「How!? Because of the mist, your future foresight shouldn’t──!」
「This is from my own prediction. I thought that if it’s you, you will do at least this much. And then──」
Because of the squall that Mel caused, the surrounding mist cleared up.
「Wise Blood – Accel」
The future foresight of the Divine Raiment was assembled at the same time with her mutter, and then it was sent into Krulcifer’s head.
Several hundred prediction calculations were carried out, producing the formula to reach victory.
Right after that, dozens of reflective shots that were fired following that formula attacked Mel like a storm.
「────」
The back wings, every kind of join parts, and at the end, concentrated shooting in one spot that pierced the barrier.
All of Mel’s option in escape and dodging were predicted, and the vital spots on her whole body were sniped.
And then the finishing blow finally pierced the Force Core on her shoulder without even an inch of deviation.
「……Wh, y. I can’t win……」
The Force Core that was the core of a Drag-Ride was smashed by the light bullet, and the function of Ddraig Gwiber halted.
The armor that lost the lifting power from its propulsion device lost strength and fell towards the ground head first.
The moment Mel’s heart yielded, the body reinforcement that was brought about by Elixir──the black geometrical pattern emerging on her shoulder until her left chest was vanishing.
The expression of Mel who recovered her human reasoning was already returning to the face of a normal girl.
In the span of a few seconds during her fall from the sky, Mel discerned what the truth was.
(I’m sorry, Orphel……)
With a sad and hollow expression, her thoughts were running towards the bishop who was her guardian, that had just died.
At that time, when Orphel ordered her to kill Krulcifer even if it would cost her life, the lips of the woman whose throat was crushed were showing different words.
『I’m sorry, Mel.』
Those were all, she was speaking only those words with her whole feeling.
But, the sound of voice that entered her ear was different.
Amidst the chaos and despair, she hesitated between the words that Orphel’s lips displayed to her, or the voice that her ears heard.
When it was time for her to decide which words to believe, the negative emotions inside Mel chose to fight against the enemy.
However──
However, if it was the real Orphel.
She was a woman who tried to make use of her by encouraging her path as a Drag-Knight, but she was concerned about Mel’s well being more than anyone. If it was her, what would she say to her at that time?
「Watch out-!」
Alterize who was wearing her EX Wyvern yelled and rushed towards the falling spot Mel was heading.
But, faster than her, Krulcifer who was chasing after Mel using Fafnir caught Mel whose armor was dispelled inside her arms.
「Or, phel……」
The girl’s hand moved powerlessly, stretching towards the corpse of that woman.
In front of that body that was half-hidden behind rubble, a bloody sentence written by the woman’s own fingers was left behind on the stone paving.
『Save Mel』
The choppy letters consisted of only those words.
She was worrying for Mel’s safety until the very last moment she stopped breathing.
That was, the truth of that time.
「……I’m sorry.」
Mel apologized to that woman with a haggard expression that could break into tears anytime.
「I……couldn’t understand at all, about Orphel’s feelings……」
Even though she wanted to tell her all this time that she actually liked her, even though she was imagining what if they became family.
She kept her at a distance because of her stubbornness and pride, and she was unable to pay her back with even a single thing.
「I’m sorry, Orphel……. Okaa, san……」
After whispering only that, Mel ran out of strength and closed her eyes.
A trickle of tears flowed along her cheek and the girl lost consciousness.
Part 22
North of the Holy Capital.
In front of the collapsed cathedral, Drakkhen leaped towards Lux.
Lux’s limit from his exhaustion of stamina and his bleeding was already noticeable.
But, Drakkhen didn’t let her guard down until the very end.
She had mustered her ingenuity, applied the combat force she had trained and scraped up together, made use of the terrain advantage, and cornered her enemy.
But the powerful enemy before her couldn’t be defeated even after all those. Now she would ruin and plunder from him with her own strength.
For Drakkhen who was used as a disposable female mercenary and shunned as someone of low birth, this fight was something that she was able to accept from the bottom of her heart for the first time.
But, she still wasn’t satisfied.
She knew that if a mercenary was defeated in a battlefield, there would be no next time. Thus,
(──As expected, in the end, I gotta win.)
For someone who was living in battle, a battle would have value when even victory was included in it.
While she was giving more than a passing thought to that, she saw the opponent before her gripping Bahamut’s Sword Device.
「Tuning, on──」
Right after Lux shortly muttered, images of light emerged around his Drag-Ride.
It was the tuning form that showed various things like numerals and graphics in ancient letters.
Originally it was a function for the sake of tuning a Drag-Ride’s output, configuration, armaments, and so on, but there was a Drag-Knight who made use of it as a combat skill.
「……Relying on other people’s techniques like that, you’ve run out of plans huh, hero!」
What Lux was going to use was the battle array of the Seven Dragon Paladins’ vice captain, Singlen.
If Lux used that technique, then he was bound to use the two techniques that were shown to him at the Class Promotion Exam that was held in the Vanheim Principality, the evasion technique──Battle Array – Vicissitudes, and the technique to focus energy into one point, Battle Array – Aeon Fire.
In that case, she could think of countermeasures.
Currently Lux was unable to see through Drakkhen’s preliminary motion when she was attacking. In such conditions he should still be unable to use the Quick Shot, the consecutive slash that was launched by accelerating time using Reload on Fire.
The moment she would lunge with random slashes using her sharp claws with the readiness to bring certain death── Lux’s body suddenly swayed.
「──Reload on Fire.」
Right after that mutter, red flash surged from Bahamut’s frame, and a shudder ran through Drakkhen’s body.
She should have acted in a way so that her attacks couldn’t be seen through, but──was she read through already!?
Inside her heart she was sweating coldly like that, but the speed of Lux’s sword was the same as usual.
It was a sharp slash with minimum movement going through the shortest route, but it wouldn’t be able to break through Asp’s defense with just that.
Left arm, right leg, and then wrist, her armor received shallow attacks on three spots, but all of them were all right.
Just in case she leaped backward for the moment and took distance, but as expected she didn’t receive any damage.
Rather than relieve, it felt more like an anticlimax, after that anger welled up inside.
「──Just when I thought you are going to do something in the end, it’s just a stupid bluff!」
When Drakkhen was going to move into offense, Lux leaped towards her.
「How obstinate, I have prepared countermeasures for all of your attack──……-!?」
When she was going to intercept Lux’s charge, something strange occurred in her Asp.
The three spots that were cut just now flickered with red light, each of them was moving with unexpected ultra high speed.
「U, gu, AaAaaaAAAAAAH……!?」
*MEGIMEGIMEGII!* The sound of metal armor getting squashed struck Drakkhen’s remaining eardrum.
Every moving part of Asp’s armor couldn’t catch up with the speed of the three spots that were too fast and self-destructed.
At the same time, Drakkhen’s body was pulled by the movement of the armor she was wearing. Some parts of her bones broke and her muscles were torn.
「Wha, what……! This is!? What is happening──!?」
Drakkhen shrieked along with blood splashes from her body. She leaped backwards to escape, but at that moment, a voice came from above her.
「──Violent Strike. The Divine Raiment of compression strengthening is applied to only a part of the enemy’s armor. It forcefully accelerates the Drag-Ride’s part and destroys it, a technique of tuning.」
「Don’t tell me, you──!?」
The secret technique of tuning that he learned from the battle against Singlen, Battle Array.
Lux combined it with Bahamut’s Divine Raiment, and created a new combat skill.
In a flash, Lux pursued the withdrawing Drakkhen.
And then, he unleashed it towards Asp that was still unable to move because of the damage.
「Reload on Fire.」
「──!?」
Right after Bahamut’s armor shined crimson, the armor of Asp that Drakkhen was clad with instantly burst apart into pieces.
The seven high speed consecutive slashes that came from the compression strengthening of time instantly destroyed the remaining armored arm, the joints of the four legs, Force Core, and the Sword Device, cornering the opponent into a powerless state in no time at all.
It started with taking the initiative using Violent Strike to accelerate the enemy’s Drag-Ride, destroying it, and then connecting the move to accelerating oneself and launching Quick Shot.
The acceleration of oneself using Bahamut’s Divine Raiment would cause the slowing of the user’s own time at the beginning, because of that the user had to completely predict ahead the opponent’s movements when using it.
Thus, the combat skill this time transcended the weak point of being unable to execute 『sure kill attack』on the first move.
It was a technique that was newly created, that even Drakkhen, who had obtained detailed information about Lux, didn’t know about it until just now──
「Haha……what a man. No matter how many countermeasures I stacked up, it’s still insufficient……no, that’s not it. So I finally meet a man that is impossible to be prepared against huh.」
Even more than his skill, what was truly terrifying about him was the speed of his growth, Drakkhen realized.
──’But, the battle is still not over yet.’
Lux wouldn’t kill her in order to capture and obtain information from her.
She herself was already worn out too, but she wouldn’t give up the match until the very end.
Lux also reached his limit, and Bahamut’s armor was finally dispelled too.
The moment he adjusted his breathing with a large exhale ‘fuu’, Drakkhen’s body that was lying down on the ground sprang up.
She used one leg to kicked on the ground toward the opponent that was ten ml away.
Originally her Drag-Ride couldn’t move properly because of the impact from the armor getting smashed, but if it was she herself, she could still move.
「Lux!? Watch out──!?」
When Drakkhen was going to stab a blade into Lux’s chest with her broken right arm──
「That’s, not permitted.」
A dignified voice resounded from somewhere, and the knife attack was blocked by Celis’s rapier.
At the same time, Philuffy who appeared from behind a building twisted Drakkhen’s arm from behind and sealed her movements.
When her joints wer dislocated *gokiri* after that, without pause, Lux became a bit flustered.
「Celis-senpai! Also Phi-chan too!」
「I’m sorry for being unable to help in the battle Lux. But, we were also pursued, so it couldn’t be helped.」
「Just now, all the people walking around, were finally taken care of.」
It seemed after the two broke through the encirclement and lured away some enemies, they became unable to use their Drag-Rides. After that it seemed that they then faced the Dragon Marauder members who were concealing themselves in the flesh.
However, for them to be able to overwhelm even infantry in a battle without wearing Drag-Rides, as expected from these two.
After taking care of the infantry of Dragon Marauder, it seemed that the two were observing the situation, wondering whether they could somehow support Lux even without Drag-Rides.
「Chih, this is also unexpected for me. For my subordinates to lose against young noble ladies in hand-to-hand.」
Drakkhen was rolled over by Philuffy and she smiled in self-depreciation. Celis silently turned her face towards her.
「Before this you said to us, that we are overestimating our own strength and looking down on the enemy. Certainly it might be just as you said. But──」
「I see. So I was also similarly underestimating my enemy huh. The aristocrat daughter Drag-Knight users, and the ruined prince protecting them. So, you all aren’t just a bunch of girls resting on your laurels getting drunk with your position and armed might……. Even though you girls are nobles, until now I’ve never met that kind of noble even once.」
「I sympathize with your environment but, your sin won’t be redeemed with that. We will take you back to the New Kingdom and interrogate you there.」
「……So far as a defeat goes, being able to survive even as a prisoner is still one of the better ways it can go. I hate torture though.」
The lamenting Drakkhen was tied with rope and she was delivered to the guards.
When the relief for the people in the cathedral began, Yoruka showed up while carrying the fainted Lisha.
「More importantly, is Krulcifer all right? I heard that she was in the middle of battle against Ymir’s Seven Dragon Paladin, Mel Gizalut……」
「Before my Drag-Ride dispelled, I received a Dragon Voice from her. It looks like there is no more need for worry.」
Lux showed a smile to Celis’s words and he answered her.
「──In that case, there is also no need to force ourselves to go there to join up with her then.」
In response to Yoruka’s refreshing mutter, Philuffy slightly turned her serious face.
「That’s not it, we are being tactful, right?」
‘As always, even though she is looking really absentminded like that, Philuffy is sharp huh’, Lux thought with a wry smile.
Lux slowly turned his face and spoke as though telling Krulcifer who was right now in another place.
「Right. I want to let Krulcifer-san, to be with her family without any outsiders intruding for a while, so──」
He prayed that Krulcifer would have a happy time.
No matter what Krulcifer actually was, Lux was convinced that he would be able to wish for her to be happy.
He wanted, if possible, for the number of people who could think like that to also increase inside her family.
With that wish in mind, he looked up to the sky where snow was starting to fall.
bakapervert 
Nihehehehehehehehehehe!!!
First desu!
Hmmm…. the plan itself is good and all, but I feel there are a few holes in it…
Waiting for part 5
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Oh yes, the battles are vwry nice
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Do u know why does Ney loch call krulcifer “xfer”
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Because Krulcifer is a Key supervisor. If she isn’t adopted that will be her surname
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The escalation in Volume 7 is amazing. Thanks for your continued hard work, bakapervert.
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ya know constantly checking the site for new updates kinda reminded me of the times when magika was still being translated
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finally it’s finished now we wait for the for the next chapter
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Thanks for the chapter
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Thank you for your hard work!
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Thank you my dude :)))))))
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what is “XFER~SAMA”
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Xfer is the surname of any key’s supervisor. Here Ney called Krulcifer Xfer because she is one.
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Ok, that new technique was unexpected, I wonder if he could make others tunes to the Divine Raiment.
The battle in differents places was good, though I wish to know what happen as the moment was strong.
So fusion with the Drag-Rides is truly possible, I wish that that ability futher develop to the point where they can always be one with the Drag-Rides and could transform instantly.
The last thing I wanna say, I wish that Ney stay as his ally, I like her much more than the other Automatas until now.
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