Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut

–

「Haa……haa……. We finally arrived, at the battlefield where Lux is waiting!」

The sun was s.h.i.+ning at the zenith, it was a noon with clear weather.

Lisha who was wearing Tiamat with her blonde hair that was tied into side tail fluttering in the wind, and others with her were overlooking the battle situation in the ruins from the sky.

On one side was the old castle with austere structure that was hiding Avalon underground.

A few kl away from there at the opposite side, world alliance’s force was gathered. The fortress that was their base and conning tower were standing high.

Less than two days since they departed from the new kingdom.

Lisha and Krulcifer caught up to Philuffy and Celis, then the four of them arrived at the abandoned capital Guernica in Marcafal Kingdom to take back the Seven Dragon Paladins.

As expected because this place was far from the new kingdom, they took rest several times midway while taking turns wearing their Drag-Ride and traveled through the shortest distance.

Since the Seven Dragon Paladins were all captured, they heard that the momentum of Avalon’s capture was decreased, but Lisha thought it was already amazing that the alliance army hadn’t collapsed.

「Let’s get down to the fortress quickly. But──we mustn’t be impatient. We too cannot move satisfactorily with our exhaustion right now after all.」

Beside Lisha, Celistia who was driving Divine Drag-Ride Lindwurm urged them ahead.

She wasn’t wrong.

Even she who possessed extraordinary stamina among Drag-Knight had poured too much strength in this super-express marching.

First they had to show their face to the present commander managing the fortress and then took rest.

Thinking that, they sent communication through Dragon Voice, then a reply immediately came from inside the fortress.

『Who is this? Please state your affiliation and objective.』

The voice that came through a Drake’s Dragon Voice belonged to a young boy.

In respond Lisha took a deep breath and introduced herself.

『This is the group of the princess of New Kingdom Atismata, Lizsharte. At this chance I came to be of a.s.sistance to your army in order to save my knight who is one of the Seven Dragon Paladins, Lux Arcadia, and also as a member of world alliance. I ask you to open the gate.』

After Lisha informed with respectful tone, a reply came in almost no time at all.

『Welcome visitors from afar. I welcome your arrival.』

And then a few minutes after that, a silhouette appeared on the rooftop carrying a flag.

Receiving the permission to land, Lisha and Celis who were carrying Krulcifer and Philuffy respectively landed down.

The one who came to welcome Lisha and co was a black haired boy with small built.

「I am the aide of Seven Dragon Paladins captain, Lolotte Cadius. At this time I am entrusted with the overall command due to the capture of my master Magialca, that’s why I’m leading the remaining troops like this. Pleased to make your acquaintance.」

「How is the situation? How is the condition of Lux and others!?」

They had heard that the Seven Dragon Paladins were captured, but several days had pa.s.sed since they received the information until arriving here.

Because of that Lisha was anxious. Lolotte smiled gently to calm her down.

「It’s fine. There is no doubt that we are at disadvantage, but at the very least right now the battle is even to both side. We have not much leeway to progress leisurely, but we have some room to form strategy calmly.」

「I, I see.」

Lisha sighed in relieve seeing the boy’s calm response.

Magialca’s aide never showed up at the m

eeting of world alliance, but it seemed he had nerves of steel in contrast to his cherubic and young appearance.

Lisha staggered right after she dispelled her armor. Seeing that he first guided everyone to the guest room.

The constructed fortress was just as expected from Magialca who was a global multi-millionaire.

It should be a hastily made fortress that reused an abandoned military base, but in a short time it had been reconstructed with a make-up that even somewhat gave the impression of extravagance.

The enemy headquarter, the old fortress was just a few kl ahead from the fortress, the defense line that was formed by White Ridge Knight Order under the leaders.h.i.+p of Singlen’s aide, Zweigbergk seemed to be functioning properly.

More than ten Drakes were constantly monitoring the surrounding, and alarm would ring in emergency.

「That’s why, first please wash your sweat and take rest with ease. When your highness and your group are rested, I’m thinking it will be great if you will allow me to explain about the situation and discuss it after dinner.」

「My thanks for your consideration, Lolotte-dono.」

「It’s fine to just call me Lolotte. After all I’m formerly an orphan who is Magialca’s butler right now.」

Lolotte smiled wryly, but putting aside his ability as Drag-Knight, his skill as commander was really something.

For the time being they followed his recommendation and split up to the double rooms they were guided to and put down their luggage.

After Lisha entered the guest room with Krulcifer, she spontaneously sat down on the bed.

She somehow endured with her spirit, but she was feeling exhaustion that made it hard to even stand.

「The situation is calmer than expected. Of course I mean it in a good way.」

Krulcifer took off her pilot suit that was soaked in sweat and wiped her body while brus.h.i.+ng up her blue hair.

Now that all the Seven Dragon Paladins were captured, they had a.s.sumed that the worst situation with more pressing time limit was going on.

But in reality, the situation might be unexpected for the Lords too.

Most likely, they should be convinced of victory by the time they seized the Seven Dragon Paladins.

At the very least they were estimating that this base would collapse, because that was what Lisha and others were thinking too.

But, small mercy, that underestimation brought about this stalemate.

On the contrary it could be seen that Magialca and Singlen had even foreseen the hopeless situation where they were captured and had advised their confidante beforehand.

Those two didn’t seem really proactive in the capture of the Ruins, but it seemed they were fixing their aim at the crucial Avalon and thoroughly prepared.

「But, we mustn’t let our guards down as expected──or rather, this situation is nothing more than a slight mitigation of the hopelessness.」

Krulcifer who finished changing into the Academy uniform she brought sighed once more.

「Yeah, that threat of the Lords, the twelve days countdown is also starting to show effect at each country. Perhaps those who submit to their pressure and refuse cooperating with country might appear.」

Lisha grinded her teeth in vexation and recalled the report in the new kingdom.

The incident where an abyss that imitated the Lord, Listelka’s appearance──a Shadow was commanding to present the head of Queen Raffi as well as other royalties and n.o.bles.

If they became sacrifice, the Lord said that they wouldn’t lay their hand on the people.

It was a demand that was just too tyrannical and unreasonable, but the low-ranked n.o.bles and the people might submit to that pressure and started saying to sacrifice the queen.

They understood that it was the Lord’s aim for that to happen and made them uneasy, but it was troublesome because it couldn’t be disregarded completely.

「When thinking about that, as expected I cannot be in the mood of resting at ease.」

「Even so──we have to rest. That is more or less the duty of me the princess of new kingdom.」

Lisha took a deep breath and laid down while looking up to the ceiling.

This severe tension and anxiety.

Even so in order to reach to the next hope, she closed her eyes in the attempt to recover her body.

–

A few hours later after that.

Lisha and others were called by the commander representative of the expeditionary force, Lolotte, and they showed up at dinner.

「It’s just a crude meal, but please pardon us because this is a battlefield.」

Said Lolotte humbly, but the meal was actually extravagant enough.

It also showed the significance of Magialca’s skill in stocking up a lot of food beforehand and how calm was the present situation of the battle.

Warm soup, desalinated meat and bread, cheese and wine. While taking those menu as meal, Lisha and others listened to the detail of the battle situation.

The number of Abyss protecting the area around the old castle was still a lot, even so they had been decreased until less than half.

Avalon was similar like other Ruins too. It was divided by floors, and it seemed that a control room existed in the latter half part that was called as the centre.

In order to prevent anyone else from reaching there, the Lords sealed the Seven Dragon Paladins, and in order to slow down the reinforcement’s arrival, they spread out the news of purging the royalties and n.o.bles.

Lisha and others had heard until that point to a certain degree, there was no mistake in their prediction.

「In the first place, how did the Seven Dragon Paladins get captured? I believe it was impossible for people with their strength to be defeated obediently though?」

Celis’s blunt question was answered by Lolotte with a slightly troubled look.

「This is something that isn’t confirmed, but those Lords, it seems they are able to use a part of Ruin’s function due to the surgery called Baptism.」

The first imperial princess Listelka, as the shrine maiden of oracle, she could obtain information from Avalon and performed simple control.

The third imperial princess Hayes possessed the right of control of the Gear Leader in each Ruin.

And then──the second imperial princess Aeril who was posing as an existence called Coral who was an aide of Vanheim Princ.i.p.ality’s Seven Dragon Paladins, was predicted to be able to perform manipulation of perception.

「In the first place Magialca was suspecting Sir Coral. And so, she ordered us her servants to secretly observe his movement. That was how we realized her true ident.i.ty along with her betrayal.」

「To think, that guy was someone of the enemy’s side……」

Lisha muttered in disbelief.

She and others had received help from Aeril many times. A complicated emotion colored her face.

「I believe that sheAeril also noticed our observation over her. I believed that was why she couldn’t make any action that was too conspicuous, but it seemed that she finally used her trump card.」

「Is Lu-chan and others, safe?」

Philuffy who took dinner with portion for five people just as offered suddenly interrupted the flow of the conversation and asked.

In respond Lolotte pondered for a while and before long he silently lifted his face.

「Honestly speaking, right now we don’t know anything. Because although we manage to maintain the frontline, embarra.s.singly that is the best that we can do.」

By all rights he wanted to rescue the Seven Dragon Paladins and capture the Avalon underground the old castle.

But, because a lot more Abyss and trap were lurking in the old castle, they were lacking in combat force to a.s.sault until that far in the present time.

If they rashly attacked repeatedly and got exhausted, then got counterattacked and their base taken away, then their defeat would be set in stone.

Thus, their situation right now was one where it was full of hards.h.i.+ps to even gather information of the enemy camp.

「However, if I’m allowed to speak my personal opinion, I believe that the possibility is high that Lux-san is alive at the very least. After all for the Lord he will be useful as hostage against the remaining threat of you all, Syvalles of the new kingdom.」

「I see.」

Lisha muttered while looking down, then she immediately opened her crimson eyes.

「So in short it’s like this. At this point of time, it will depend on our activity. You too were also waiting for our arrival.」

「Yes, it’s just as your highness say.」

Lolotte nodded with his eyebrows lowered apologetically.

「Unfortunately my apt.i.tude for Drag-Ride is low, and the best I can do is wearing a general purpose type Drake. With Sir Zweigberk alone as a Divine Drag-Ride user, the best we can do is only to defend the fortress.」

「Seven days remaining until the end of the countdown that the Lords decided. Before that we will infiltrate into the old castle, gather information, and take back the Seven Dragon Paladins. Is it fine to consider that as what we should do?」

When Krulcifer concluded like that, Lolotte quietly bowed in consent.

「We will give support as much as possible with this base as the center. If you have any need, whether it’s personnel or material, then please tell me whatever it is. Please lend us the strength of you all.」

「Leave it to us! We will rescue Lux──the Seven Dragon Paladins for sure!」

Lisha yelled to fire up herself and others as the princess of the new kingdom.

The other three girls also nodded in agreement to that.

「Yes, we will achieve that without fail. It’s for the sake of none other but ourselves.」

「You’re right. If we cannot save him here, we won’t have any face to look at everyone in the Academy.」

「I want to, meet Lu-chan quickly.」

Krulcifer, Celis, and Philuffy each spoke their resolve and then they broke up from dinner.

The seven days in abandoned capital Guernica that would decide the fate of the world.

The long night that informed the beginning of that was deepening quietly like the calm before the storm.

–

「Was it fine, Listelka-sama?」

Around that time when Lisha and others were showing their motivation to capture Avalon and took back the Seven Dragon Paladins.

Inside a bedroom in the old castle that existed a few kl ahead, Listelka was stripping off her clothes.

「What is it, Mis.h.i.+s? It’s an unclear question coming from the wise you. I won’t be angry even if you stop acting so reserved you know? Though it will be a different matter if it’s an insult against Fugil.」

Listelka said that with a teasing smile. Her cheeks were faintly dyed red.

Soft white skin that looked like even the circulating blood underneath would become visible.

Long silver hair swaying softly.

And then her purity that was the same like the pure white underwear she was wearing.

The bedroom where Listelka and Mis.h.i.+s were inside was different from the bedroom of Lux and Aeril.

The surrounding and inside of the old castle were crowded with a lot of traps and brutal Abysses, but several safe zone existed. The Abysses wouldn’t get near those zones.

Listelka was able to perceive those zones was due to the power she obtained from Baptism──the ability to govern a part of Avalon’s system.

They had gathered food and clothing from each Ruin into that safe zone beforehand to construct a temporary base.

「…………」

Inside that room, Mis.h.i.+s was hesitating with her master’s words before she finally formed her words in the end.

「It might be slightly related. It’s about the permission to entrust him to her highness Aeril.」

「Aah, you mean that Lux Arcadia.」

「Yes.」

The maid Mis.h.i.+s immediately nodded at the voice of imperial princess Listelka.

「Although he has the Wedge put on him, isn’t it a bit dangerous to use him as p.a.w.n? That is what I think.」

「Perhaps so.」

The girl smiled as though playing the fool.

After finis.h.i.+ng changing into her sleepwear, she sat down on the bed that had a canopy attached.

「I can comprehend how he can become a central figure even among the Seven Dragon Paladins with his potential that cannot be measured. He is far from being a match against Fugil, but he seems quite competent. Though his appearance look like an unreliable boy.」

「In that case──why did your highness make that decision?」

Mis.h.i.+s’s question was extremely calm. Listelka lightly stretched herself.

‘Fua……’, she lightly put her hand over her lips and yawned. It was a lovely gesture befitting her age.

「Well, there is also how I chose Fugil, but it is just as I said before, it’s like my present to Aeril. Unlike Hayes, that delinquent girl, she was faking herself for a few months alone and accomplished her mission for us.」

「…………」

「Besides, I also understand Aeril’s feeling a little. We too are grown women of that age. It is in our instinct to search for the person who will become our pair. Even the imperial princess of the beginning who once reigned in the past──Arshalia was also said to welcome a young man who was called as the White Hero to be her close aide. Originally it was a love of different social status……there is also an aspect to it that seem similar to my feeling toward Fugil.」

「I see, your highness.」

「You still cannot be convinced with only this answer?」

Listelka let out a sigh ‘fuu’ and let herself fell on the bed to lie spread-eagled.

Mis.h.i.+s approached Listelka’s side and put a blanket over her. And then next Mis.h.i.+s calmly formed her words.

「I have a tinge of anxiety remaining. Surely in this capture of Avalon, we will have to pay a considerable effort even for us the Lord. Although we possess enough combat force, it’s also a fact that it will be better to spare some strength in reserve. In that case, I am aware that using him──Lux Arcadia as p.a.w.n is an excellent plan.」

「You are worried for the slightest chance of his collar getting taken off aren’t you?」

When Listelka pointed that out, Mis.h.i.+s nodded briskly with a serious face.

The collar of Wedge would generate electricity if the wearer went against order, harbored rebellious thought, tried to take it off, or if the collar simply got hit by strong impact. But Mis.h.i.+s was apprehensive to a certain situation.

The content of her apprehension would also become doubt and insult toward the imperial princesses in a sense.

It was something that made her hesitate to say easily.

「Is it the possibility of Aeril betraying us and steal a march on us to control Avalon with him?」

「……!?」

A sentence was spoken from those lovely lips that cut into the heart of the matter.

The content of those words caused even Mis.h.i.+s whose face was like an iron mask to become speechless spontaneously.

It was bull’s eye.

Aeril had been working as spy away from the Lord for too long of time.

She was blending into the heart of the world alliance so much so that she wasn’t doubted by almost anyone.

The possibility of someone compa.s.sionate like her giving help to them wasn’t zero.

「There is no need to worry Mis.h.i.+s. It’s impossible for Aeril to betray us. After all that child is also the same like me and Hayes. She remember the tragedy of the past.」

「…………」

「Just what kind of experience we went through because of that family of traitor……when thinking about it, don’t you think it’s foolish to distrust her?」

Listelka let out grief to show on her face seen from the side. Mis.h.i.+s couldn’t say anything to that.

The absolute rule that conquered over the world, the imperial family of Holy Arcadia Empire.

Due to the rebellion of the family of traitor, the atrocity of the counterattack was running rampant to the extreme.

In the far away past, Listelka and others escaped the disaster by sleeping inside the hibernation pod for the use of the imperial family, but the h.e.l.l they acutely went through to reach that point was still fresh in their memory.

She also remembered how a few hundred years later, that pod was discovered by a descendant of the family of traitor and once more she almost got killed, but Fugil saved her in the nick of time.

She could remember them all as though they happened only yesterday.

「Either way, in this world there is no place where we belong anymore. There is only this Ruin, only the pride in the form of the legacy of ruler that our ancestors left behind for us.」

The imperial princess muttered earnestly, her hand touching her chest.

「That’s why, I swear I will obtain Avalon no matter what I have to do. That should be the correct action.」

「That’s──」

「At present, the Wedges are set up so only us the three imperial princesses can take them off, isn’t that right?」

Mis.h.i.+s nodded silently.

The Wedges were a part of Avalon. Once it was put on, it was set up so the third electric shock would give instant death as long as the collar wasn’t taken off.

Aeril took off Lux’s collar once in order to reset the electric shock count that had reached two due to Hayes.

Listelka and Mis.h.i.+s also knew about it through hearing it from Aeril herself.

「But regarding Lux Arcadia, the Wedge is already set so even if it is Aeril herself who try to take it off, an electric shock that will grant instant death will suddenly flow. Even the person who try to take it off will die from the aftershock of the electricity. That’s why──there won’t be any problem at all.」

Mis.h.i.+s spontaneously felt a chill in her spine seeing that pure smile.

In a glance she was an elegant girl, but she was hiding enough cruelty as a ruler.

Listelka didn’t even tell Aeril how she had changed the setting.

Even in the worst case that she attempted to take off the collar of Lux and the others Seven Dragon Paladins, Aeril herself would also die instantly. She would be executed right on the spot.

「Besides, I have already thought up the countermeasure that I don’t tell to even my little sisters. The plan of a ruler is arranged in such way that one will win no matter how the situation become. That is the basic. If the capture of Avalon advance by the p.a.w.n called Lux Arcadia, then one other secret plan that can destroy the world will be carried out.」

「…………」

She didn’t have mercy even toward her own flesh and blood relative by not granting them important information.

And then, she was letting Aeril act while laying out even more trap.

Mis.h.i.+s felt a chill from fear that came from the bottom of her heart.

In that case, Mis.h.i.+s V Xfer who was serving this person could only pray.

That one of her masters, Aeril wouldn’t think to quarrel with this terrifying ruler.

That Aeril wouldn’t do anything like searching for a path that she should walk herself and chose it.

–

The remaining twelve days countdown that Listelka declared to the world.

It was a threat that the Lord would ma.s.sacre the people if the delegation of all countries didn’t present their head in the abandoned capital.

The morning of the sixth day, the halfway of the countdown was visiting the old castle in the abandoned capital Guernica.

「N, nn……」

The sunlight s.h.i.+ning in from the gap of the ragged curtain woke Lux up.

The bedroom had a single bed with canopy attached.

Aeril slept there while Lux was sleeping on the sofa beside it.

He was wearing a sleep-wear with thin fabric that he was given last night.

When he confirmed the time using his pocket watch──it was six in the morning.

From the point of view of Lux who usually woke up at five for doing ch.o.r.es and morning training, he had overslept.

Even so there was no doubt that it was morning, but as expected it was strange.

Outside the curtain──at the ruined castle town that could be seen from the old castle, there were Abysses strutting around on the ground and the sky.

He was inside the enemy’s castle, he was in a position of changing side to the enemy camp, he was also in a situation where he exchanged secret agreement to allow Aeril to control Avalon.

Lux thought that he wouldn’t be able to get even a wink of sleep from nervousness, but when he noticed he had fallen asleep.

Perhaps he was surprisingly tired.

Or perhaps in his heart he was trusting Aeril.

「Even if that’s the case, I cannot be so relaxed……」

The other collar that was put on his neck──the binding called Wedge, with its existence death was constantly beside him.

There was also the other Seven Dragon Paladins who were still captured.

And also the existences of Listelka, Hayes, and Fugil.

And then the arrival of Lisha and others, the Syvalles that most likely wouldn’t be long, and the capture of Avalon──.

The situation changed every second. If even a single gear went out of place, destruction would wait right away.

「──Fuu」

Although, it would be no use even if he brooded too much right now.

Whether it was the ch.o.r.e works that Lux done or large-scale plan like the revolution in the old empire, his action to reach until the finish point was the same.

He could only accomplish it by acc.u.mulating steady progress before his eyes and cleared them.

Thus, first Lux tried to search for Aeril in order to know his objective for now.

(Somehow, even in this kind of situation I’m still staying together with a girl huh……)

Well, even in the Academy he was staying in the same room with Philuffy at the beginning. It also felt like it was too late already to worry about that now, but it couldn’t be helped that he was conscious of it because he was a man in p.u.b.erty.

He timidly peeked at the bed, but Aeril wasn’t there.

「Eh──?」

Strange.

Aeril staying together with Lux should be for the sake of their 『agreement』 and also for her to monitor Lux, and yet she went away somewhere.

(Don’t tell me, was our plan got found out by Listelka? Or perhaps Hayes is trying to circ.u.mvent us?)

There was also a possibility that the alliance army launched a surprise attack in the early morning and Aeril joined the battle.

If the Lords met difficulty in dealing with that, it might be a chance for Lux to find an opening for escape and joined up with the Seven Dragon Paladins.

Although, if he tried to take off the Wedges of the other Seven Dragon Paladins, both would get shocked with electricity together so it was impossible.

(The development might change faster than expected. As expected this should be too early for Lisha-sama and others to come already but──)

Lux changed into his pilot suit while reaching his hand to the door to leave this bedroom.

There would be no turning back if he went outside as he pleased.

「-……!?」

Should he keep his promise with Aeril, or should he risk danger to search for a path of escape?

At that time when Lux’s thoughts were weighed in his heart and he hesitated, the doork.n.o.b in front of him turned and the door opened.

At that instant where he expected a shocking situation, a sight that was just too unexpected entered Lux’s sight.

「Ah, good morning Lux-kun. Were you okay yesterday? Like your collar──」

「…………」

Ap.r.o.n figure.

Aeril who was wearing pure white ap.r.o.n above her pilot suit was carrying a tray with a serious face.

There was fresh baked bread above the tray. It was accompanied with vegetable sticks, then sunny-side-up fried eggs that were roasted together with bacon, soup, and gla.s.ses of water.

No matter how he looked Aeril seemed to have just prepared breakfast. Lux could only stiffen with his eyes wide open.

「Eh? What’s the matter Lux-kun? You don’t need breakfast?」

「No, I can eat anytime but──. That appearance……」

「A, ahaha……. This kind of appearance while wearing pilot suit, does it look a bit strange just as I thought? I suddenly thought to cook this morning so──」

Perhaps Aeril only noticed the unnaturalness of her appearance after this late, she grinned with her cheeks slightly reddening.

Somehow, thanks to the pilot suit that had small surface area covered with fabric, her appearance emitted mysterious s.e.x appeal. Lux paid attention to not stare too hard toward her.

For the time being they moved to the table in the bedroom and took breakfast before the dishes became cold.

「Could it be that Aeril was the one who cooked this?」

Lux asked while eating breakfast.

「That, i, is it not delicious just as I thought? Perhaps it will be better if I just obediently leave the cooking to Mis.h.i.+s……. So it’s a failure……」

Her figure averting her gaze without confidence while casting down her gaze in embarra.s.sment looked somewhat cute.

「No, it’s really delicious. Somehow the taste loosen my tension, it’s making me feel relieved.」

The dining hall in the Academy was also luxurious with delicious food, but this breakfast was just right for Lux.

「I see, I’m really glad. I also practiced to cook by myself in the military academy of Vanheim. Ah, I asked Mis.h.i.+s to bake the bread though.」

Aeril smiled while exhaling in relieve.

Her smiling face was really like a homely girl. Lux’s heart throbbed hard seeing it.

「But, why did you intentionally cook this yourself? You weren’t here when I woke up, so I thought to go looking for you.」

Lux casually asked to cover up that he was thinking of escaping. Aeril tilted her head slightly and thought.

After lightly nibbling on the bread and swallowed, she finally answered him.

「Ahaha, I wonder why. But perhaps, it was because I wanted to do it. Even I wanted to try once something like cooking for a friend. Surely──」

She looked vaguely nostalgic.

Aeril muttered with a distant gaze that seemed like she was harboring a longing.

She lived as an imperial family of the ancient era, then after that she lived while faking her own ident.i.ty.

But, Aeril’s smile when she was doing Academy activity together with Lux and others might be her true feeling.

「Aeril, you wanted to try living normally?」

「Yes……. I was envious at everyone in your Academy, at Lisha-san and others.」

Aeril replied with a lonely smile. Seeing that Lux was dazed.

He thought whether this breakfast that she prepared by herself was also the expression of that feeling?

While thinking of such thing, Lux and Aeril quickly finished their breakfast.

–

「Then, Lux-kun you prepare for the sortie while I go to check of the Seven Dragon Paladins for the moment. After that I and Lux-kun will go to capture the surface level floor of Avalon with just us two. First I want to clear up the swarm of Abyss underground this old castle.」

Finally they would start with capturing Avalon for real.

It seemed the first imperial princess Listelka was able to use a part of Avalon’s function using her ability to interfere with Ruins that she obtained through Baptism, but there was a limit to that.

Naturally she didn’t want to split her force just to clear up Abysses.

(Should I feel happy about this?)

With this he would be lending a hand to the Lords, but he was relieved that he wouldn’t need to attack the fortress where the alliance army was based and fought his ally.

「I get it but……, is it okay, that Aeril will take your eyes off me?」

「Yes. Actually, I want to give the order『don’t get out from this room』 through the Wedge, but it will be troubling in the low chance that an accident occur here, so I’ll hold back from that. More importantly, I’m worried whether Hayes is meddling with the Seven Dragon Paladins or not.」

Certainly it might be just as she said.

It would be better if he could ask Aeril to check on them.

「Got it. I’ll prepare while waiting.」

「Be careful okay, Lux-kun.」

Aeril left only those words behind and exited the bedroom.

「Or perhaps, she is giving me time to change?」

Lux was saying that to himself while finis.h.i.+ng changing his clothes. A few minutes later, Aeril returned while carrying a sword belt. She handed Lux his Sword Device.

General purpose Drag-Ride, Wyvern and Divine Drag-Ride, Bahamut.

And then Aeril herself was also bringing two Sword Devices in her sword belt.

「Your preparation is finished then. Also, I prepared various things like a bit of food, pocket watch, map, lamp, and towel. Here.」

Aeril also handed a pouch that was filled with those things to Lux with a somewhat cheerful look.

「Thank you Aeril.」

「……? What’s the matter Lux-kun?」

Aeril’s eyes opened wide in surprise at the thanks that came from Lux’s mouth.

「It’s about Hayes. Thanks for your consideration so that me and also the Seven Dragon Paladins doesn’t get attacked by her.」

「……Haa, you are really a strange person. In this situation you are threatened by me and even got forced to do act of treachery, do you understand that?」

「That might be so.」

Lux put on a smile and slowly pulled out his Sword Device from the sheath.

When he summoned Wyvern using the pa.s.scode, Aeril also followed his movement in response.

「──Come, the winged dragon of crest that is the symbol of power. Obey my sword and soar, EX Wyvern!」

A large Drag-Ride with streamlined shape that was a size larger than Lux’s Wyvern was summoned, and it transformed into an armor that covered her body.

「Then let’s go. First is going to underground the old castle──to open the route until Avalon. Is that okay?」

Lux nodded briefly, then the door was opened and the two flew away.

They pa.s.sed through corridor and descended down the stair, then they opened the door of the reception hall. There they faced the Abysses that appeared.