Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut - Volume 8 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Portent of Storm 

Part 1 

"Theeen, for Lux-chi’s return and also the advance celebration for the campus festival, cheeers!" 

"Cheeers!" 

The yell of the class resounded along with Tilllfur’s enthusiastic shout. Lively voices echoed inside the dining hall. 

After the meeting that was immediately carried out after returning home to new kingdom, the next day??the rest day of the Academy. 

The celebration banquet for Lux’s safe return from Ymir Theocracy back to the Academy of Cross Field was held during the day. 

The dining hall was modified just like the banquet that Lisha once held for him, countless round tables were placed. The party format turned out into buffet party. 

Perhaps because Lux was gone from the Academy for essentially more than seven days, not just the female students of the Academy, even the staffs of the Academy seemed to be waiting for Lux’s return. 

The one who was planning to hurriedly hold this clamor was as expected the members of Triad. 

"Welcome home Lux-kun. Is your body okay? Did you feel lonely from being unable to meet me?" 

"I got a lot of request letters entrusted to me, so look forward to it ‘kay." 

"Yes. I apologize for being unable to give follow up for Airi While Lux-san was absent." 

First he talked with Sharis, Tillfur, and Noct, the three who he was close with as friend. Next he met the members of raid squad Syvalles and his fellow classmates. 

– 

"It seemed that you went to Ymir Theocracy but, did you really get engaged!?" 

"You were staying at Krulcifer-san’s house, don’t tell me did you two stay in the same room!?" 

"Lux-kun, I heard that you like little girl? In my home I’ve got a little sister whose age is quite far from me, won’t you come?" 

– 

"Wait, how do you all know even about those things-!?" 

……Strange. 

Even though Lux accompanying Krulcifer should be a quite event till the end. 

He was jostled by the students like that, but no help was coming. 

Was this the scheme of the Triad, or perhaps this was the consensus of opinion of all the girls here? 

Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Celis, Yoruka, these five, it seemed that because of the reason that 'it’s unfair that only you all who got to go to Ymir', they were driven out from this banquet. 

(Honestly, I don’t really get that reasoning though……) 

Even though they were only worrying about Lux and Krulcifer……was what he thought. 

But putting that aside, he was expecting that perhaps he would be able to talk slowly with his little sister Airi after so long, but, 

"Nii-san went outside the country while staying quite even to me, your family. Something like the connection of blood is only a transient thing isn’t it?" 

Saying that, she averted her face aside with resentful glare. 

It seemed she couldn’t come along to Ymir Theocracy previously, so she had accumulated quite a lot of dissatisfaction. 

After he returned home, she didn’t really talk to Lux. She was pouting and sulking. 

"Haa……. When she is like that, Airi is really difficult." 

Lux who was temporarily liberated from the questions of the students for the moment let out a deep sigh on a seat at the corner. Then suddenly a cup was presented to him. 

"Here, water. If you drink only alcohol too much, it won’t be good for your body." 

"Tha, thank you……wait, Coral!? Why are you here???" 

The one who was sitting beside him without him noticing was a pretty boy with androgynous look and slender body. 

The aide of Seven Dragon Paladins of Wanheim Principality. 

He was a young Drag-Knight and a distant relative of the princess there. 

The young man’s expression broke out into a wide smile that looked somewhat lovely in regard to Lux’s question. 

"Ah, as I thought you remembered right away. Look here, Greifer, I win the bet you know?" 

He looked behind him. Over there was the Seven Dragon Paladins of Wanheim Principality, Greifer Nest sipping alcohol with feigned ignorance. 

He was a young man with trait of a part of his blonde hair was standing on end and unfriendly sanpaku eyes. (TN: Sanpaku eyes = eyes with visible white between the iris and the lower eyelid) 

In a glance his behavior looked slovenly, but unexpectedly he was a particular young man who was good at looking out for others. 

He once acted antagonistically toward Lux due to an incident of the past, but after that Lux believed that now their relationship was friendly to a certain degree. ……Perhaps. 

"Haa, who cares about something like that. More importantly, this Academy is really peaceful huh. I cannot see at all how this place is gonna turn into the place for the summit." 

"Ahaha. Everyone here still doesn’t know about it after all……" 

Lux smiled wryly at Greifer’s sarcasm. 

The other students weren’t notified that the Academy was chosen as the place of dialogue with the Lords. 

For everyone, this was a time where the few events that would be held in the Academy, the campus festival would soon arrive. 

It couldn’t be helped that the girls were getting merry. 

Or rather, Lux too was honestly looking forward to it. 

"Eh, but for Greifer and Coral to come here, that means??" 

"Right. Even the remaining Seven Dragon Paladins should be gathering from each country to here before long. Perhaps everyone of the Academy would be surprised because it’s still not openly known but??" 

"…………" 

Lux who heard that put his thinking in order once more. 

If he remembered correctly, the remaining known Seven Dragon Paladins should be like the following. 

"Seven Dragon Paladins represented New Kingdom Atismata, Ymir Theocracy, Wanheim Principality, Blackend Kingdom, Heiburg Republic, Turkimes Confederation, and Marcafal Kingdom, these seven countries. Nii-san hasn’t meet with the representatives from the last three countries." 

Airi who arrived without him noticing summarized it like that. 

While Lux was surprised, Coral smiled at Airi. 

"Thank you Airi-chan, for your explanation." 

"It’s not a big deal. After all it’s something that Coral-san taught me, along with various things while Nii-san was going off somewhere as he pleased." 

"A, ahaha……" 

Airi spoke that with her usual thorny attitude. 

It seemed that Airi was tasked with welcoming the two who came from Wanheim Principality. And from there it appeared that Coral and Airi had gotten along with each other surprisingly well. 

Though Lux’s feeling was complicated that he himself was being resented……. 

"Airi-chan. You must not say such thing even though it’s because you felt lonely. Listen to me Lux-kun. While you aren’t here, she was always talking about her big brother??" 

"Wai-, please stop-……!?" 

Airi who was prickly until now got red faced and she tried to stop Coral in panic. 

Coral chuckled in amusement from that. 

Somehow Lux felt a bit relieved hearing that. 

After that, perhaps being considerate, Coral along with Greifer left from the dining hall and he was finally able to become alone with Airi. 

It felt like they were both acting awkward, but their gaze slowly met. 

"That’s, I’m sorry Airi. I left without saying anything and made you worry." 

"……It’s not like Nii-san need to apologize. As long as Nii-san is safe, then that’s enough for me." 

In a glance Airi was giving off an obstinate air, but it appeared she forgave him. 

"More importantly, a large event is going on, so let’s have a bit of briefing later. Is NIi-san free for tonight?" 

"Ah, yeah. Of course." 

When Lux nodded vigorously, Airi let out a relieved sigh. 

"Then, first Nii-san need to show your face all around the Academy. While Nii-san isn’t here, the preparation for the campus festival was also progressing, and it looks like everyone also each want to talk after all??" 

"Eh……?" 

While Lux was bewildered, Airi softly pulled on his uniform’s sleeve. 

When he saw that the party had dissolved before he knew it, it seemed that the Triad had directed the going on about that for him. 

Lux was grateful to the three who were casually being considerate to him. He then returned to the girl dormitory to take rest for a moment, then along with Airi he walked inside the Academy’s ground. 

Part 2 

"It’s been quite long, I need to do the chores too??" 

Airi was exasperated when Lux said that he would do the afternoon work at the very least. 

"Nii-san will be laughed at if you said such thing." 

He immediately understood the reason while looking around the school building. 

In each classroom that was decorated with colorful ornaments, there were unfamiliar signboards set up. 

It seemed that each classroom was doing refreshment booth or some kind of performance. 

In addition the indoor practice ground was remodeled like a dance hall, red carpet and chandelier were beautifully decorating the place. 

At the courtyard, stands were lining up like a fair with students dressed as shop staff. It was unclear how everything was made, but everyone was talking to each other and preparing various merchandises. 

"This is amazing……" 

Lux himself thought that his line sounded stupid, but he could only be astonished like that. 

Different from before his departure to Ymir Theocracy, inside the Academy’s ground was vibrantly decorated several times more than usual. 

When the female students saw the surprised figure of Lux, they waved their hand in greeting. 

– 

"Hey hey, which project Lux-kun will participate in?" 

"Won’t you come to our place, this is our first time doing things like cooking or serving customer!" 

"Decided it quickly okay, specialized booth can be made depending on you after all! Imagine, something like a room where you can have Lux-kun whispering sweet nothings to you for three minutes just by paying money??" 

– 

"Eeerr, what does that mean……?" 

When Lux was bewildered that such voices were calling at him frequently, Airi beside him gave the answer. 

"In the campus festival, there is a rule that everyone without exception has to participate in an event or a project. By the way Nii-san haven’t decide that, so please choose it within today." 

"……I, I see." 

By the way, it seemed that Lisha and others had decided what they would participate in since before. 

It was only Lux who was practically unknowing about this. 

(The festival of the Academy……is it?) 

At the era of old empire, as an imperial family member, he was only watching the country’s festival from afar. 

In his chore lifestyle that span across five years, there were several times when he helped out with festival’s preparation. 

But, fundamentally it was only behind the scene work that he was doing in earnest. Getting heated up like this with everyone was something that he had never done. 

"How should I participate I wonder……" 

He felt somewhat unfamiliar with this, or rather, somehow he was feeling giddy. 

While he was thinking so, a familiar voice suddenly called him to stop. 

"Oi, Lux! You’re going to join my place. Come over here right away!" 

The one who waved her hand while speaking loudly was the princess of the new kingdom, Lizsharte. 

Her characteristic blonde hair sidetail was swaying, unable to repress her excitement. 

So that she wouldn’t disturb Lux’s time with Airi and Triad, until now she held back herself from calling out to him. 

"Haa. Lisha-sama is just like as always." 

"Then, how about we listen to her?" 

Lux also smiled wryly toward Airi’s sigh and then they moved toward Lisha. 

Drag-Ride’s atelier. 

That place which was managed by Lisha who was the chief developer there would be opened to public when it was campus festival. 

Lux had entered inside the atelier with relative frequency to check on Lisha’s condition, but the interior was completely different from before. 

"Uwa……" 

A small voice of admiration leaked out from the mouth of Lux who saw it. 

Chimeratech Wyvern that combined two types of general purpose Drag-Ride, and a Drag-Ride with armor thickness that was twice the normal. 

They were the original Drag-Ride that Lisha independently remodeled and developed. 

In addition, there were rare parts that were heavily guarded being displayed. 

It was a performance that caused even Lux who had handled Drag-Ride for a long time to be unconsciously watching in fascination. 

Surely they didn’t simply have functionality, but also had their outer appearance’s beauty paid attention to. 

"How’s that? Quite something aren’t they? I haven’t shown it to anyone yet, but this is special for you." 

Lisha folded her arms while proudly chuckling ‘fufuh’, emphasizing her largish breasts. 

For a moment Lux’s heart skipped a beat seeing that cute gesture she was doing without self-awareness??, 

"You are filthy, Nii-san." 

"-……!? So, sorry!?" 

Lux spontaneously returned to his senses hearing the retort Airi gave him along with a scorning gaze. 

"Nn……? What’s up?" 

Lux turned back his gaze to Lisha who was cutely tilting her headand he spoke his impression about her work. 

"This is amazing. Could it be that Lisha-sama was also working hard until late yesterday was for the sake of this?" 

"Fuh, naive. This is only me lining up my results until now. Of course I won’t show my real ace in something like a campus festival." 

Lisha made a self-assured and cocky smile and proclaimed that. 

Even Lux who saw that got swept into her pace and returned a smile. 

"I’m looking forward to it, Lisha-sama." 

"Ah, right……. The, then if you will also accompany me together in operating the show at the big day??" 

"But this, they will get stolen by putting them inside box like this you know?" 

"What did you say!?" 

When Lux lifted up a display box that was filled with a rare part, Lisha spontaneously raised her voice. 

"It’s a glass that can be seen through even from outside, but if it’s smashed then that’s it. It will be troublesome, but I think it will be safer to use box of iron bar for the weapon and have it fixed onto the stand." 

"I, is that so……?" 

When Lux did odd job as security, he had experienced the exhibited goods getting stolen several times. 

"If I remember right, there was metal fixtures for use of repair in the Drag-Ride hangar, so I’ll bring them here. The tools there can also be borrowed, so please wait for a bit." 

After saying that, Lux went outside with a little jog. 

After that he quickly finished fixing the display and Lisha said thanks to him. 

"I’ve shown you a slightly uncool side of me there. But you saved me." 

"Please don’t mind it. This kind of thing often happens when you get engrossed into something." 

"Is that so. As expected you’re my knight huh. Whi, which reminds me, before this, you with Krulcifer……" 

"Now then, let’s go look around to the next place now, Nii-san." 

"Wa, wait! My talk is still??!" 

When Lisha tried to follow right behind, she was stopped by Relie coming to the atelier for inspection. 

Lux got a bit curious about what she was going to say, but without stopping he visited the other places. 

There was a specially set up stage in the courtyard, it seemed that an even would be held there. 

The classroom wasn’t only used for food stand that mimicked street stall, there were also a lot of places where the students exercised their ingenuity until the interior design. 

Next he arrived at the stand where Airi was participating??the museum that was specially set up using the library. 

The history from the old empire until it changed into new kingdom. 

Simple map and facility of Cross Field. Furthermore the excavated Ruins and Abyss, the data of Drag-Ride. All those were displayed in the way that was easy to understand. Even from Lux’s view point it looked interesting. 

It seemed that at the appointed day Airi would also serve as librarian who gave guidance and explanation. 

"But, it’s amazing. Even though here is more or less an academy for military cadet??. Does other place also has this kind of festival?" 

"No way they have it." 

Airi smilingly asserted without hesitation. 

"I too have never attended any other school than here, but according to what I heard from the students around me, it seems this kind of event is rare you know? I believe that surely this is the influence of headmaster’s love for festival." 

"I see……" 

Even Lux was in acceptance with Airi’s guess. 

There were also times when he was troubled by Relie’s playfulness, but he was happy with this kind of event. 

Lux who usually was unable to be brazen and participate in festival felt like he could be accepted as a member of these cheerful students in this event. 

He could even feel vague exaltation from Airi who was usually playing the act like an Ojou-sama. 

The two of them were holding complicated circumstances since their childhood, but only in this time right now they were able to be immersed in feeling of freedom. 

"…………" 

Both of them deviated from the bustling path side by side and headed to an area of trees where there was no sign of people. 

Airi’s expression changed into a serious one in that timing that accidentally came to them. 

"Come to think of it, what happened with the documents that Nii-san and others got hold of?" 

Her voice’s tone suddenly dropped. 

Her way of talking was roundabout, but Lux immediately guessed her intention. 

It was about the case the other day, the data related to the Lord and the Ruins that they brought back from Ymir Theocracy’s Hall. 

Because this time the Automata Ney Louches deciphered the ancient language for them, they were able to grasp the content right away. 

"Hm……. I had looked through it with Krulcifer-san and others, and the document had also been sent to the royal capital but??" 

"Was there, something?" 

Slight nervousness was transmitted from Airi’s voice. 

Surely she was more bothered about the Lord rather than the matter of Krulcifer who was a Ruin’s 'supervisor'. 

Silver hair and grey pupil that were the distinctive traits of the old empire’s imperial family. 

Did Hayes who had those distinctive traits was related somehow? That was the question, but, 

"No, currently we still don’t know for sure??" 

"Is, that so." 

Airi sighed looking somewhat relieved. 

"But, please be careful. In the summit that will be held soon, that person is likely to also come after all." 

"……I know." 

Lux intended to respond naturally, but he was aware that his voice was tense. 

The imperial princess of the Lord who proposed a talk with every countries, Listelka. 

When she declared who would be accompanying her as guard and also aide, the name of that Fugil came out. 

Such thing could be predicted from the fact that he was around Hayes since before, but this time he would be confronting Fugil in the same place of conference. 

The reason of the betrayal at that day when he resolved to destroy the old empire in the past. 

And then, the reason why Fugil was assisting the clan of Lord right now. 

While the two of them were thinking about those matters??, a loud voice and footsteps came to be heard. 

"Someone??!? Catch that girllllllll!?" 

"??!?" 

A group of students were running noisily. 

Ahead of them, was a girl wearing showy red mantel running. 

She was a petite girl with distinctive hairstyle of orange hair tied into the shape of ring, but her feet were strangely fast, no one could catch up to her. 

"That’s??, a girl coming from outside to observe?" 

She didn’t look like a student of the Academy, on the other hand it was also hard to imagine a girl trespasser. 

But, why was she being chased by students? 

While Lux was perplexed, the girl who was running fast opened her mouth with a fed up look. 

"Aah geez, how troubling. Even though I only knocked down a bit something that came falling??, the lot here is too sensitive with trivial thing." 

The girl looked around restlessly while running further to shake off her pursuers. 

But, the three members of Tria suddenly blocked the girl’s path. 

"Please stop the girl over there! You are already surrounded! By this Academy’s well-known vigilance committee, the Triads!" 

The leader Sharis stood in the way of the girl and introduced themselves. 

Calling themselves as well-known was somewhat doubtful, but it somehow it looked like she was having fun. 

"Yep yeeep. If you don’t stop right away, later you will be sentenced with tickling punishment you knooow." 

"Yes. These two are like this, but they are serious so surrender immediately." 

In addition Tillfur and Noct pressed from two other directions, surrounding the girl. The girl in mantle sighed. 

"Oh dear. Even though I shouldn’t raise my hand toward students." 

"Resign yourself and??uwah!?" 

"Hiah!?" 

"……-!?" 

But, that moment when the Triad grabbed at the girl, suddenly the three’s body floated in the air and they were flipped down on the lawn lightly. 

Rather than saying that the girls were sent flying, it only looked like their body was merely twisted a bit. 

And yet suddenly the three were knocked down with a movement that was like magic. 

"Everyone!? Are you all right??wait, uwah!?" 

Lux immediately called out in worry about the three’s well being, but the Triad members who were flipped over had their skirt lifted. Lux averted his gaze in panic. 

"Fuh, you all are still lacking in training." 

The escapee used that opening to run away in the blink of eye. 

Even Lux and Airi were taken aback seeing the Triads were instantly defeated. 

"That girl, who in the world???" 

"Yeah. Her appearance is like a normal child, but she isn’t an ordinary person." 

A body movement that was like a master controlling the opponent’s motion with the slightest movement. 

It felt like Lux had seen something similar from somewhere, but he couldn’t remember. 

"Lux-kun! Please take care of the rest!" 

"Can’t go one anymoreee, I’m tireeed." 

Sharis and Tillfur immediately stood up, but they asked for help like that. 

"Err, but without using Drag-Ride, it feels like I also won’t be able to catch her though……" 

After Lux smiled wryly, Noct who stood up the last muttered calmly with reproachful eyes and blushing cheeks. 

"No. About the case of casually watching the panties of us three, if it’s now we will give forgiveness but??" 

"Sorry! I’ll go catch that girl somehow!" 

Airi reacted to what Noct pointed out and her gaze turned cold. 

As though escaping from there, Lux started running in pursuit of the escaping girl. 

Although he had said that, he was already losing sight of that small back. 

But, thinking that he had to at least give it a try, Lux went toward the back of the campus building. There his collar was suddenly caught from behind. 

"……-!?" 

He let his guard down for an instant??no, he should be on guard already, but he was still easily caught. 

However, before Lux could turn around, he heard a voice from behind. 

"Oi, you. My bad but can you hide me for a bit? A frightening fellow has been aiming at me since some time ago……" 

Lux immediately noticed the reason why the voice sounded somewhat scared. 

When he noticed, before him there was a girl wearing black foreign outfit standing. 

"It has been a while Aruji-sama. How are you doing? My apologize for being unable to take part in the banquet just now." 

The one who bowed in greeting to him with a smile was the first year student, Kirihime Yoruka. 

In the old empire, she was a Drag-Ride who was called as the Empire’s Assassin Blade. Right now this assassin girl called herself as Lux’s loyal servant. 

Glossy black hair and differently colored eyes of blue and violet. 

He became somewhat uneasy seeing her smile that was giving off bewitching allure, but his heart was strangely beating hard. 

Lux took a deep breath so that the agitation of his heart wouldn’t be noticed and he straightened his back. 

"Err, did you come here to expressly meet me?" 

When Lux asked timidly, Yoruka’s expression burst into a bright smile to him. 

"Yes, of course??is what I wished could say, but unfortunately that’s not it. It appears that I too have to participate in this campus festival something, so I was doing rehearsal." 

"By rehearsal you mean……?" 

When he became curious and asked, Yoruka lowered her eyes and nodded, 

"Yes. I was entrusted with the performance of 'Knight of Foreign Country' by myself. Actually in my nation of Koto, instead of knight they were called samurai though??" 

"I, is that so?" 

What’s this? 

Lux wasn’t knowledgeable about the culture of the nation of Koto so he didn’t understand what the performance was about, but there was intense smell that Yoruka who had no spirit cooperation at all was being driven off as a troublesome person by other students. 

Well, Yoruka herself also didn’t have the personality that would be bothered by that though. 

"Eh? But if you are doing rehearsal??, are you going to do something like a knight?" 

"Yes, just now I was chasing the criminal who broke an implement of the Academy. She is a girl wearing showy red mantle but, does Aruji-sama know anything about it?" 

"Err??" 

At that instant, the girl who was hiding behind him right now was sending him instruction by tracing letters on his back. 

The massage was a simple 'Save me'. 

"…………" 

Honestly, if he was going to capture this girl, then he should present her forward here, but in this situation, he got the feeling that it would be better for him to persuade the girl. 

"Tha, that, just now it looked like she went to the other side so??" 

"Oh my? Is that so." 

Yoruka responded with her usual smile at Lux’s lie. 

But, the coloring of her violet eye also looked like it was shining slightly. 

"Then excuse my leave. Let’s meet again later, Aruji-sama." 

Yoruka left along with a smile that was filled with affection. 

"……Perhaps she noticed just as I thought." 

The moment Lux thought that and muttered, the girl she saved also released a relieved sigh. 

"Fuu, thanks to you I’m saved. I’ve got to thank you." 

"No, it’s fine but??, more importantly what did you do that got you chased?" 

Lux faced the girl once more and questioned her. 

He thought that she might be a child from her body build, but from the vague adult atmosphere her body was clad in, perhaps her age was fairly higher. 

"Right. It’s not like I did anything big. Just now there was a stall imitation that did some kind of event, so I tried giving it a try for a bit. But then I mistook the target and an expensive looking vase furnishing got wrecked." 

"……I was mistaken I’m sorry I caught the criminal." 

With a dry face Lux quietly grabbed the girl’s hand. Seeing that the girl with small stature yelled. 

"Uwa! Even though the situation finally calmed down! What are you dissatisfied with!? I’ve said that if it’s money I’ll pay it later!" 

"…………" 

Well, she might say the truth about paying seeing from her unique getup, but he somehow understood the reason why the students were angry. 

"Then, I’ll apologize to everyone, so for now let’s at least talk to the headmaster??" 

After worrying for a bit, Lux gave a suggestion to solve the problem with his way, but the girl in mantle scoffed. 

"Headmaster you say? Then you don’t need to worry, Relie Aingram is my old acquaintance." 

"Eh……?" 

The moment Lux blinked in surprise, the girl quietly moved her hand and caressed Lux’s cheek with strange hand manner. 

"However, I was negligent and only noticed just now but, you have quite the beautiful look. Your feature is especially child-faced which is my preference, I want to thank you, so won’t you tell me your name?" 

"E, err, I am Lux Arcadia, but……" 

Lux’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment having his face suddenly touched. 

It appeared that the girl before his eyes was pleased with his reaction, her eyes were sparkling even brighter. 

"Oo! So you are the rumored ruined prince! This is……, what convenient chance this is!" 

The girl licked her lips *slurp* with a voice that was shrill from excitement. 

The moment Lux was stared by those eyes that were lighted with flame of lust, he got some kind of bad premonition. 

One of her hands that was wrapped with white glove quietly went around Lux’s neck, at the same time her other hand crawled around Lux’s chest and abdomen. 

"Your appearance is slender, but your body is reasonably tight. This feels like it will be pleasant to be embraced by this body." 

The girl was making a wicked smile that looked somewhat flirty. 

"Wai-, what are you suddenly??!?" 

"You, from your reaction you’re inexperienced aren’t you? I don’t think it’s possible but, are you inexperienced with woman even with that face?" 

"Wha-……!?" 

Lux’s face was getting increasingly red from suddenly asked with strange question. 

About his experience, did he have something like that? 

If she referred to something further than a kiss, then it was true that he was inexperienced though??. 

"My god, to think that a feast this delicious is still lying untouched! If possible I wish to devour you five years later while you are still young but, even you right now is satisfactory. Oi Lux, you??how much it will be to purchase you for one night?" 

"…………Yes?" 

After thinking for a full few seconds, Lux was bewildered because he didn’t understand the meaning of her question. 

But, the girl was gazing up at Lux’s face with a grin that looked vaguely obscene. 

"You have a lot of debt remaining correct? Rather how about we skip that directly to you become my lover and move into my house?" 

Even Lux finally noticed after getting told that much. 

He noticed what this girl with nice getup wanted to buy him for. 

"Wait, what are you saying!? There is no way I can do such??" 

Lux’s cheeks blushed and he refused in panic, but the girl’s finger traced Lux’s chest with an even more wicked grin. 

"Kukukuku……. You, despite your appearance you are skilled at haggling aren’t you? I get it. I’ll properly look after your little sister too. Don’t worry about the matter of the livelihood of you two." 

"What are you talking about-!?" 

The moment Lux reflexively retorted, his body suddenly floated and he was pulled backward. 

"……-!?" 

Someone who appeared from behind lightly embraced Lux’s body and leaped, taking distance from the girl before their eyes. 

There, Lux finally noticed the existence who caused that after getting handled that far. 

He noticed the identity of the other girl who cut in between him and the girl and separated the two of them. 

"Phi-chan!?" 

His childhood friend who possessed hair of cherry blossom color and big breasts, Philuffy Aingram. 

From a glance she was a my pace girl who seemed to be expressionless and taciturn, but right now in this moment she moved swiftly and confronted the girl before them. 

"Hou……. What a contemptible greeting to perpetrate rudeness to the master you are reunited with. It seems that Relie is pampering her little sister like always." 

"Even if it’s Master, I won’t hand over Lu-chan." 

Philuffy quietly took a stance. In respond the girl smiled fearlessly. 

"Hohoo, so it’s something like that. Now that you mention it, I heard that you’ve got childhood friend or something huh." 

Was the two acquainted with each other? 

Faster than Lux could think that, the thinking that he had to stop this emerged in his mind. 

In contrast to her appearance, Philuffy was an expert of martial arts with outstanding physical ability, but this girl was also considerably skilled. 

Thus, it would become terrible if the two clashed directly. 

"Wa, wait you two, I don’t know what’s going on but sto??" 

When Lux who guessed that tried to stop them with his all, the air suddenly relaxed. 

"Fu……, it can’t be helped. Let’s stop the game here. As expected, it will require much effort to take on these two simultaneously." 

"Two……?" 

Right after Lux tilted his head, he immediately noticed what she meant. 

Behind the girl who was confronting Philuffy, the third year student who was the Academy’s strongest, Celistia was putting her hand on the handle of her Sword Device. 

Her expression was tense like the usual Celis, she wasn’t showing the slightest opening. 

"You are the representative of Marcafal Kingdom, Magialca Zen Vanfrick-sama correct?" 

Celis quietly spoke that name without taking off her eyes from the girl. 

"The manager of Vanfrick company which possess market that cross many countries and enormous fortune……, and then right now, the number one in World Rank, and the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins." 

"??!?" 

Lux’s expression spontaneously stiffened hearing that identification. 

This person who looked young in a glance was the Drag-Knight who stood at the top of the world. 

He thought that she wasn’t an ordinary person from the way she moved her body, but to think??. 

"Did you come to test Lux’s strength? If that’s the case, your joke has gone too far." 

But, Celis didn’t even show any sign of timidity toward such fact and she spoke with an aloof attitude. 

In respond Magialca let out a chuckle and shook her head slightly. 

"No way, this is really just a coincidence. My bad if I have made you misunderstood. It’s not like I intended to cause a commotion." 

She lifted both her hands and closed her eyes, taking the pose of surrender. 

And then when Philuffy and Celis lowered their stance, Magialca faced Lux once more. 

"In the first place my birthplace wasn’t from Marcafal Kingdom. I’m a person who doesn’t even belong to any country, but currently I’m being temporarily employed as the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins. Best regards from now on okay, Lux." 

"Ah, yes. I too??" 

Magialca held out her right hand. In respond Lux also reacted and shook her hand. 

Her body looked delicate from her appearance, but it seemed that it was really trained. 

"However, you are a really interesting man just like the rumor. Even though you are the only man in an academy full of girls, it seems that you are really skilled in handling girl." 

"N, no……" 

‘You are also a very strange person for the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins though.’ 

While Lux couldn’t say anything like that, the woman before him made an indecent grin and whispered"As I thought, won’t you come to my room later?". 

"Lady Magialca. Please don’t say anything strange to Lux. Further touch than that is not permitted." 

Celis who saw that put a stop to it with firm attitude. 

But, Magialca didn’t look particularly bothered at all, the end of her eyebrows lowered down and she turned a teasing smile at Celis. 

"Oh, I heard that the daughter of Ralgris house is a man-hater and serious girl, but it looks like you are really different from the story huh. You ??, don’t tell me that you are falling in love with this man?" 

"-……!?" 

The moment she heard that, her mask crumbled for a moment. 

However, Magialca didn’t pursue any further and changed the topic after letting out a sigh. 

"Now then, my business today is to talk with the headmaster, let’s meet again later in this campus festival and the summit. At that time I’ll depend on you two okay??. Aah, my favorite pupil too, let’s have a tea next time slowly." 

Magialca only said that before turning on her heel and then she left without pause. 

"So that’s the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins. The martial art teacher that Phi-chan mentioned, could it be??" 

"Yep. That’s master. It has been a long time for me too since I met her last." 

Philuffy nodded shortly and affirmed it. 

This was the person who taught Philuffy who was surpassing the rest by far in unarmed combat, so he imagined that she must be considerably strong, but he never imagined that she would also be an extremely rich person who managed a company. 

"But, she is an acquaintance of Relie-san and Phi-chan, so she isn’t a bad person right?" 

"……Don’t know." 

"Eh……?" 

Philuffy’s unexpected immediately reply caused Lux to ask back reflexively. 

"I think that master is perhaps acting only for her own sake you know?" 

"Is, that so……" 

Because she was expressionless and taciturn, Philuffy was thought to be really unconcerned with her surrounding, but actually she was really good at seeing through people’s true nature. 

In other words, her judgment could be trusted. 

Regardless of whether Magialca was good or evil, in any case she was someone they couldn’t let their guard down against. That seemed to be the correct stance to take. 

"Also, Celis-senpai too, thank you very much. I was saved??" 

"N, no……, I was just, passing through the place where Lux was at by chance after all." 

"……?" 

Lux tilted his head seeing Celis suddenly averting her gaze with flustered expression. 

Strange. 

Even though she was a dignified senior like usual until just now, her attitude suddenly changed completely. 

"Are you feeling unwell somewhere? It’s unusual for Celis-senpai to??" 

The moment Lux approached her, Celis backed away in a flash. 

"Eh……?" 

When Lux tilted his head, Celis averted her gaze with blushing cheeks. 

"Wha, what’s the matter, Celis-senpai……?" 

"N, no, it’s nothing. I, it’s just a bit of coincidence! That, m, my business is still not finished so, I’ll take my leave here!" 

After she asserted that in complete panic, Celis dashed away. 

Without slowing down at all, she vanished completely from Lux’s sight. 

Part 3 

"Haa, haa……. Just what is wrong with me??!?" 

Celis was aware of the heat in her face while running on the Academy’s ground. 

Strange, something was unusual. 

Even though yesterday too she was chided by her father Dist because of her absentmindedness, and she also had endeavored in her training until she ran out of strength, and yet. 

Even though she had rushed to Lux’s predicament just now and she thought that she had helped him with the best that she could do. 

'You ??, don’t tell me that you are falling in love with this man?' 

The words that Magialca said couldn’t leave from inside her head. 

The moment she saw Lux’s face, she couldn’t think anything. 

"I’ve never, felt something like this even once until now??" 

Finally she finished running from the back of the campus building until outside the campus gate. Celis was gasping for breath then. 

Normally her breathing wouldn’t even change after only this much distance, but the fast beating of her heart wouldn’t slow down. 

Midway she also passed girls her junior, but she passed through without even looking at them. 

(I’ll patrol outside just for a bit before returning……) 

She felt like she couldn’t return like this as long as her body still hadn’t calmed down, so Celis was thinking with the'approach of escaping' that was unusual for her. 

But, in practice, in this period of campus festival, the Academy was bustling with activity. 

The festival would only be for two days, but it was opened for the outsider, so naturally there would also be'man' thinking of improper thing coming. 

Last year there were also a pervert climbing up the campus building to peep at girl changing, and thief trying to enter the hangar aiming for the Drag-Ride. 

At that time Celis and others promptly solved the matter and it ended without turning into serious matter. 

(After all if damage really occur, it won’t end as trouble to only us.) 

Once a damage occurred, the headmaster, the city mayor, perhaps even the royal capital that was managing the Academy wouldn’t be able to overlook it. 

Celis herself, if she had to say, she was not good with this kind of merry festival where everyone would slightly cut loose, but she was happy seeing a lot of the girls having fun with it. 

No, exactly because she was someone who normally was stricter than necessary that she wanted to take the backseat in this kind of event and aided with the relaxation of the girls. 

Celis believed that it was a work that she could do. 

"Fuu, ……my heart is finally calming down." 

When she finished taking a lap around the outer wall surrounding the vast Academy, she felt herself returning to her former self. 

However, Celis’s private tutor, Wade who in the past gave her teaching of literary and martial arts. 

Even in the book of teaching that Lux’s grandfather gave her, they way to deal with this kind of condition wasn’t written there. 

"It will be great if this is something temporary, but it will be dangerous if this symptoms continue……" 

When Celis turned the corner while muttering to herself, she saw the figure of a girl staring still at the campus building slightly away from the gate. 

"That’s???" 

Celis saw that and tilted her head. 

From a glance it wasn’t a suspicious person. The person only looked like a town girl from middle class household, but Celis noticed that something is strange. 

After all during the time Celis was circling the outer circumference, the person was staring inside from that spot all this time. 

"Excuse me, do you have a bit of time?" 

When she called out in concern, the town girl returned to her senses in surprise and turned toward Celis. 

She looked slight older from Celis by two or three years, although not gorgeous but she was a pretty girl. 

"Do you have some kind of business with the Academy? If it’s alright with you, can I hear your story?" 

"Aa, ahaha……. I’m sorry." 

As soon as Celis suggested that, the girl friendlily waved her hand and smiled wryly. 

"Actually, I’m a person from different city block. I came here for a bit because of work circumstance, so I came here wondering if I can perhaps meet with a boy who is an acquaintance but??it seems that the place is still in the middle of preparation for the campus festival, I was thinking regretfully that perhaps it’s impossible." 

"A boy……? That means, could it be??" 

"Yes. Lux Arcadia-kun. Former prince who did chores, though it looks like currently he became a famous person in different meaning at this Cross Field." 

The girl muttered with somewhat a distant look. 

Seeing how she didn’t realize who Celis was when she was equally famous as the daughter of a duke who was one of the four great nobles, most likely the girl herself wasn’t a person who was related to noble. 

"No, he came to this block at first was because he tried to take back my pouch that was taken by a cat. That’s why, I felt something like a bit of responsibility." 

"Is, that so." 

Celis had heard about the circumstances of how Lux was invited by Lisha and got admitted into the Academy, but she had never heard about the specific of the story until that far. 

"Yes, he was an interesting kid. He had worked at my place only for a little bit though. He always looked really busy??" 

The girl started talking about reminiscent talk of Lux. 

Celis wondered why. 

It should be natural seeing that it had only been around half a year since Lux came to the Academy, but when she was told the story about Lux’s livelihood doing chores that she didn’t know about, her feeling was growing a bit frustrated. 

"I see, I’m glad that it looks like he too is having fun here. But??if possible, I think I want to meet with him a bit. I wish to wait until the campus festival but, I have to return within today no matter what because of my work circumstance." 

"Tha, that’s……" 

Celis who heard her wish was hesitating. 

In the Academy’s rule, normally outsider without authorization wasn’t permitted to enter inside. 

But, it was possible to bring Lux outside by attaching some kind of reason. 

That too originally was something that must not be done but??. 

(……But, she too has expressly come here to meet Lux, and Lux too surely would be happy.) 

Celis was lost whether she should bend the Academy’s rule for that. 

But, when she saw the eyes of the girl that was filled with hope, her feeling would become painful no matter what. 

"Tha, that, I’m sorry but……that, Lux right now is??" 

At that moment when Celis was about to say the words of refusal naturally, the town girl’s body floated. 

"Kyaah!?" 

"??!?" 

Celis’s body burst into movement and caught the body of the girl that was thrown away. 

Unnoticed near the campus gate, there were two girls clad in black military uniform standing there. 

"You, what are you doing??!?" 

Celis quickly helped the girl stood and glared at the girl in military uniform who was acting violently. 

One was a tall girl with distinctive crimson hair. 

Ominous and daunting hostility was overflowing from her whole body. She was releasing a piercing gaze. 

A personification of armed might and malice. 

She was a girl who was clad in an atmosphere that would give such impression to anyone who saw her without exception. 

She had serious look??no, there was even a faint smile that was tugged on her face, but she was looking down on everything with disdain. 

The girl was looking their way with expression that would give such fright to anyone. 

"Whaaat?" 

The girl’s mouth opened widely into crescent shape, then her hand tightly grasped the arm of the town girl. 

Right after that, a high-pitched scream leaked out from her mouth. 

"-……, AAAAAAH……!?" 

"????" 

Idle thought instantly vanished from Celis’s face and her expression changed. 

Without hesitation she drew out her rapier shaped Sword Device and thrust the tip at the face of the girl in black clothes. 

"Any further violence than that is not permitted. If you refuse than I won’t hold back." 

Celis threatened with seriousness. 

But, even so the girl who was perpetrating her tyranny didn’t change her expression at the slightest. 

"Violence? It’s this lowly girl who is blocking my path isn’t it? Looks like the education toward the lower classes has vanished since this country became new kingdom eeeh." 

"A, UUuuUGHH!" 

The girl in black clothes put even more strength and tightened her grip hard as though she was trying to crush the town girl’s arm. 

At that moment, Celis moved and the rapier’s blade flashed. 

At the same time the girl also let go of the town girl and thrust out her right fist that was enveloped in glove. 

"??Stop it, Celis!" 

"Please stop, Rosa-sama" 

Two voices came simultaneously, the trajectory of the blade and fist crossed. 

Both sides dodged the coming attack in a hair’s breadth, and immediately after they quickly took distance. 

At the same time, two people cut in between to stop each side. It was third year student of Triad, Sharis, and a glasses girl in military uniform who was different from the red haired girl. 

"??Now I lost interest. I thought that I would be able to have a bit of fun." 

The girl waved her hand and made a ridiculing smile. 

But, rather than that Celis had her attention taken to another place. 

"Rosa……? You, could it be??" 

"Nice to meet you. She is the Seven Dragon Paladins who represent Heiburg Republic, Rosa Granhide. I am her aide, Calensia Hersmice." 

The intellectual glasses girl at the side gave a greeting like that in the place of Rosa. 

Her expression rather than arrogant looked calm instead. 

"Heiburg’s……" 

Celis and Sharis who heard that put themselves on guard with alert expression. 

Heiburg Republic. 

It was one of the large countries that was famous in the world. A few months ago, they borrowed the help of an arm dealer called Hayes and came invading with a plan that attempted to take over the new kingdom. 

But??to the end it was a plan that was spearheaded by the remnants of old empire who were seeking asylum in Heiburg and Hayes. 

Heiburg only gave excuse that the plan was something that was arbitrarily done by a single high official who was trying to take over the military affairs helped by two outsiders. 

Naturally that explanation couldn’t satisfy the new kingdom that received heavy blow from that battle and they raised the question of responsibility but it kept being an endless argument until the present day. 

The information until that point had also reached the ears of Celis and others. 

"Rosa Granhide……. I don’t remember seeing your face at All-Dragon Battle or anywhere else??" 

From her appearance, Rosa’s age was around Celis and others. 

And yet, Celis had never heard about her existence until now. 

"Aa, certainly there was something like that huh. The simple mock battle for the sake of scrambling for the right to investigate Ruins……, I got entered into cell because I got involved with that kind of thing. Even though I only killed around five opponents at the campus selection battle in the military school, they did that to me." 

"??!?" 

Celis and Sharis shuddered hearing the fact that was said out so calmly. 

Hearing the tone of Rosa that didn’t contain even a fragment of guilt, they could instantly guess the reason why they had never heard her name until now. 

No matter how skilled, certainly someone like this couldn’t be allowed to go out of the country. 

A slaughterer without common sense or morality. 

Thus, her very existence itself was hidden until now. 

"…………" 

Terrifying. 

And then at the same time, they could also perceive the situation at Heiburg Republic from this. 

The internal condition of Heiburg must be so chaotic that this girl who originally they didn’t want to come out to the surface despite her outstanding strength had to be placed in the position of Seven Dragon Paladins. 

As expected, although there was a system for fellow country to cooperate with each other, they couldn’t let their guard down at all. 

"Now then……we’ve got to go greeting the headmaster-sama. I’m going to be in the care of you guys for a while. Don’t make me get offended okaaay?" 

Rosa seemed to have lost interest toward the town girl and entered into the campus gate. 

Although Celis wanted to complain, she tried to endure. It was then she noticed the oddness at Sharis beside her. 

On her upper arm, there was an emerging bruise that wasn’t there previously. 

That instant when two people stopped their respective comrade. 

Rosa hit hard on Sharis’s body so fast that it wasn’t noticed. 

"Wait. I won’t permit you to leave like this without apologizing for your impoliteness toward my friend." 

The atmosphere around Celis changed. 

Her aura was that of an absolute one that could even be said as mystical. 

Celis whose concentration rose until the utmost limit hit the girl before her with hostile intent. 

"St, stop it Celis! I’m all right! If a trouble occur here??" 

"??Fuh, fufufu. You……are interesting." 

Rosa looked back and the corner of her mouth rose up. Her eyes were tinged with dark wicked light. 

"An interesting??strong woman aren’t you? Though, only so-so." 

"Are you intending to say, that you have no intention to apologize? Then……" 

Celis’s hand that was holding the handle of her Sword Device was slightly filled with strength. 

But, Rosa kept smiling fearlessly without even the slightest twitch at her eyebrow. 

"Unfortunately, I’ll pass. There will be hindrance if we start something here right? That’ll be a real kill-joy. If something like that happen, I also won’t be able to settle it." 

"Please restrain yourself, both of you." 

Calensia cut in between the two and the explosive atmosphere was slightly defused. 

Even so Celis and Rosa kept exchanging gaze. Rosa then spoke while in that situation. 

"I’m pleased. I will settle this with you one day in a suitable place. I will smash your strength and pride into pieces, and degenerate you yourself until the bottom of earth." 

Rosa left behind a joyful smile and left from that place. 

Even after her back vanished into inside the Academy, Celis’s hand didn’t let go from her Sword Device’s handle for a while. 

"I’m sorry Sharis. Let’s hurry to the medical office." 

"You are a bit exaggerating. Just this much often happen in the usual training. However??" 

Sharis smiled for a moment, but then she gazed at where the girl in question vanished and muttered. 

"The summit where a dialogue with the Lord will be held, is it……" 

"Yes, I hope it can end without any incident??such thing is only a wishful thinking isn’t it?" 

Celis nodded once more in agreement. 

The atmosphere of the Academy that was just before the campus festival. 

Inside that air of cheerfulness that was wrapped in liveliness and enthusiasm, the sign of fierce storm could be felt. 

Part 4 

A few hours later. 

The inn nearby the government office that was located in the first block of Cross Field. 

There, the representatives of each country that were called for the sake of the summit??the members of Seven Dragon Paladins were staying. 

The inn couldn’t be called as extravagant, but the interior was properly maintained. 

Inside a room at the second floor, two girls were exchanging words. 

"??Hey, good and evil, in the end which one do you think is stronger?" 

One girl was asking with a smile that was tinged with danger. 

They were Rosa Granhide who was representing Heiburg Republic in Seven Dragon Paladins, and her aide Calensia. 

There were only those two inside that cramped world. 

"Of course the whole thing isn’t uniform. Strong evil and strong good exist. But for example??if two people with equal strength are fighting, which one do you think will win?" 

Among the duo, one was above the other mentally. 

That one woman narrowed her eyes sharply and dripped her words into the girl’s ear. 

The quiet girl sitting at the woman’s side, slowly assented with an awkward expression that was vaguely tinged with grief. 

"……Of course, it’s, evil." 

After saying that, the girl peeked at the countenance of the superior woman with wilting gaze, and continued. 

"The good, they will become weak the moment they chose good. Obeying the law, valuing morality. The whim of god or ruler……it’s nothing more than laziness that wish for uncertain hope and salvation……, that’s why" 

The girl muttered with a sorrowful expression that looked as though she was even threatened. 

As though she had given up, that it was the only choice available for her. 

The lips of the woman who got good mood hearing that answer warped into wicked smug smirk. 

"So you get it. Good is??the end of the road for coward who escaped from fight." 

The woman expressed her feelings fully in poem loudly, then her hands crawled on the girl’s body. 

From above the military uniform, five fingers crawled on that breast, massaging it thoroughly with sticky movement, toying with it. 

"Ah, kuuh……!?" 

Pleasure and pain, while giving both simultaneously, the woman was enjoying that reaction. 

"Evil is the true strength in this world. If you are evil you can pretend to be good, if you are evil you can deceive human’s heart, if you are evil you can outwit your opponent, if you are evil you can slip through law’s binding??all people are escaping toward good, is because it’s comfortable to become sheep. But you will only have your everything stolen there. If it’s you, you understand that already aren’t you?" 

"…………" 

"Good people will only get devoured. No hero or anything will come. There is no one in Heiburg who can save you and your family. ??You understand don’t you? That you can only live as 'evil' from here on too." 

"……Yes." 

No other option than nodding was allowed. 

The girl casted her eyes down with a tone of enduring it. 

"Good child. Then, we should put it into action. The action necessary for us to grasp success, as the evil that is in the side of the strong??" 

The woman who had different physique pushed down the other girl on the bed. 

The woman licked her own lips while whispering her evil design into the girl’s ear. 

"Forcibly beating them up is no good you know? The new kingdom that has debt toward Heiburg for being a hindrance??we will crush them from inside. We will make them rot with shame and regret from their own failure." 

The ceiling was reflected on the hollow eyes of the girl who was pinned down by the absolute evil. 

"Ugh, a……" 

The girl entrusted her body to the various sensations running through her body while fighting the conflicted feeling that was dyed black inside her heart.