Epilogue

Epilogue – Encounter And Reunion

Part 1

And then, during the evening of the last day of the parade.

In front of the castle of the royal capital Lordgalia.

In front of the terrace inside the palace ground──that was jutting out from the castle, a great number of people were gathering.

Along with the heat produced by the countless bonfires, the people’s expectations were whirling before the awards ceremony for military exploits that would be held after this.

First, Queen Raffi looked around at the people, then she raised her voice and made a fervent speech.

Her appearance was different from before. She looked like a girl, but there still wasn’t anyone among the people who was holding doubt about that change.

「Then as planned, I wish to start the awards ceremony for those who have rendered distinguished military achievements on this occasion. The New Kingdom has been levied with many trials from last year until this year. The Abyss’s attack, the threat of the rebel army, the emergence of the Lords, furthermore the battle for Avalon caused many Drag-Knights to be lost, and it has also caused hardships for all of you people of the kingdom.」

Raffi closed her eyes keenly in recollection, then she continued her speech after some pause.

Originally the speech was the role of Prime Minister Nulph, but this time──he who had left the stage wasn’t here.

Queen Raffi served as his replacement.

「However, we are victorious. The invaders from the old era, the Lords, have been defeated, Avalon that is the nucleus of the Ruins has been secured and their weapon the Sacred Eclipse is sealed. After this we will negotiate with the other countries and ascertain the spirit of cooperation while putting the power of Ruins for the use of peace and prosperity.」

──OOOOOOOOH!

Noisy cheers were produced like a wave before drawing back.

「Those who participated in that last decisive battle, the people who rendered the greatest contribution, are the raid squad of the Academy that will shoulder the future of our New Kingdom. The Syvalles will be awarded in this place, with praises for their courage and strength.」

Following Queen Raffi’s voice, the members of Syvalles including Lux lined up on the terrace of the castle.

Lisha, Krulcifer, Philuffy, Celis, Airi, the Triad.

Everyone was in their uniform to emphasize their status as the Academy’s students.

「──And then, I also have news to tell all of you citizens.」

Raffi’s voice could be heard amidst the praising cheers that were boiling up from the people. Lisha smiled hearing that.

Lux nodded slightly and took a step forward beside Lisha.

Queen Raffi waited for when the wave of cheers was calming down before she also stepped forward.

She lightly cleared her throat, then she showed her graceful smile to all the people.

「──On this occasion, I received help from so many people. The lords of the Four Great Nobles with their order of Drag-Knights, Prime Minister Nulph and the consuls, the representatives of other countries, all of the people of this country, surely this victory couldn’t possibly be obtained without the assistance of everyone.」

Raffi lifted her face and showed a smiling face that had a trace of childishness remaining in it while speaking to the people.

「And then above all else, the determination of these two illuminated my path. Both of them are inexperienced people just like me. These two who should be immature didn’t lose heart from the heaviness of responsibility, and cut open the future for everyone. Their figures and achievement that aren’t held back by the past and continue to advance forward with all their strength even now is an act that all the people of this country, including me, ought to learn from. That is what I believe.」

The gathered people lost their words from Queen Raffi’s speech.

They imagined the content of the continuation from this point and watched attentively with held breath as though in anticipation.

「I will fulfill my responsibility as queen from here on too, at the same time I wish grant amnesty and reward for them. The criminal collar of Lux Arcadia and Airi Arcadia who are imperial family members of the Old Empire, I wish to take it off at this place.」

「──……」

The castle’s terrace was enveloped in even deeper silence than before.

But, when applause came from somewhere among the populace, it naturally spread to the whole and acclamation roared as though to split the sky.

「──Looks like the answer has come out. Congratulations, Lux-kun.」

Krulcifer who came to his side placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled.

「Congrats, Lu-chan.」

「Congratulations. Lux.」

Philuffy and Celis who saw that also slowly walked towards them.

While everyone was telling him their respective congratulating words, Queen Raffi whose appearance had become like a young girl came in front of Lux.

At that moment, it was only slightly but, Philuffy blinked and opened her eyes wide towards Raffi.

An out of place feeling towards Queen Raffi’s appearance that was different from before.

Perhaps Philuffy also noticed that.

Was it because of the world revision half a day ago that was carried out incompletely?

At the very least Krulcifer seemed to have forgotten the words of love she exchanged with Lux but, as for Philuffy──he wondered about it.

「Then Lux, excuse me.」

And then a strange thing occurred. Queen Raffi reached out both her hands to take off the criminal collar personally in this place.

Queen Raffi’s smile was kind without any worry in it.

Lux sensed the pitch black killing intent hidden behind those eyes.

If Raffi was really fused with Sacred Eclipse, it would be possible to use her bare hands to reap Lux’s neck in the blink of an eye.

The queen’s finger nail slightly prickled Lux’s skin.

「……-!?」

When Lux grimaced at the slight pain──

「Lux……, thank you for everything until now.」

.

*Click*. The black collar was instantly taken off.

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──OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!

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Right after that, cheers that caused the ground to shake boiled up from the gathered populace.

The applause remained within the ears no matter how much time passed, and the ceremony was concluded along with Lisha’s adorable smile.

Like that the award ceremony ended safely and the group broke up.

The last night of the parade was growing late as though the battle behind the scenes didn’t exist from the start.

Part 2

「Thank you for your hard work. Have you determined who is the culprit?」

Fugil and Automata Arshalia met Queen Raffi who returned inside the castle.

It was consideration for their master who fulfilled her role……not, they immediately asked about a certain matter.

「For now he seems to be innocent. From his reaction it’s like he didn’t notice the change in my appearance and my killing intent at all.」

Raffi tilted her head with a wondering face.

It was because Raffi’s own speculation seemed to be wrong.

The existence who crushed the Sacred Eclipse placed in the Ruin, Garden and rescued Aeril, while taking away the Grand Force at the same time.

Taking into consideration the necessary strength and ability to take action for that, as well as the requirement that the culprit had to be someone with experience of receiving Baptism, Raffi first suspected that the mastermind might be Lux.

Lux couldn’t move properly due to the fatigue from the battle the other day and took rest.

And then, although he noticed the truth of the world revision once, it looked like he didn’t do anything and returned to an ordinary day but──

Did the previous──the last world revision swallow his consciousness? Even that wasn’t certain.

「He is a capable human but, he has a side somewhere in him that cannot be measured with logic.」

Thinking back there was such signs since the Revolution five years ago.

Lux concealed talent as a Drag-Knight that towered above the rest, but it was unthinkable that a young twelve years old boy would attempt to destroy the Old Empire with just that.

Even among the people that Raffi knew, Lux was an outlier.

And then, after the Old Empire was destroyed, he accepted the role to do people’s chore in order to follow Fugil’s track.

In tournament matches, he single-mindedly continued to persist in defense and polished his skill.

While originally possessing an overwhelming strength, he repeatedly exerted himself in what looked like a fruitless endeavor from a glance while there wasn’t even anyone who recognized him.

「However, from our exchange just now, it’s not clear now whether he is the culprit.」

Thus Raffi tried to lead Lux into revealing the truth in the award ceremony just now.

If Lux noticed about the inconsistencies from the world revision and realized that Raffi was fused with Sacred Eclipse── he would harbor a fear of 『I might get killed by this monster here』 from Raffi’s threatening aura just now and he should be unable to help himself from reacting.

To start with, Lux should feel a discomfort from her figure that had turned young, and he also knew enough about the danger of a human shaped Ragnarok.

That understanding and fear should inevitably make Lux’s body turn stiff──but, in reality he didn’t react at all.

「No, he only reacted slightly in pain from my strange threatening aura. In other words──」

「Lux Arcadia really doesn’t know anything. Was that how it looked like?」

「Yes……」

Raffi nodded at Fugil’s words.

In reality, logically Raffi couldn’t kill Lux.

For the New Kingdom after this, Lux would become the cornerstone as the symbol of victory, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he was a necessary and indispensable existence.

If Lux died at that place──no, if Lux died within these few years, there wouldn’t be even a single advantage that could be gained from it.

If for example Lux was the one who rescued Aeril and took out the Grand Force, he should be able to easily conjecture the circumstances by that much.

But, setting that aside, reacting to the threat that was thrust before their eyes could be said as the correct human nature.

If someone noticed that a knife laced with deadly poison was thrown towards them, it was only obvious to immediately try to dodge.

Such reflex couldn’t easily be covered up with mere acting. It was human’s instincts as a living creature.

Humans would avoid danger following their instincts.

Being unable to move due to frozen feet when in high place, and averting one’s face when feeling pain from the teeth, they were because of defensive instincts in order to survive.

But, sometimes this defensive instinct would hasten one’s time of death.

Unable to cross a hanging bridge at a high place and losing one’s path of escape, or perhaps neglecting a cavity to avoid the intense pain of taking off the tooth.

If Lux didn’t react to even the threat of Raffi by his own will, that would mean he possessed mental strength that far surpassed an ordinary person.

Therefore the doubt towards Lux was cleared.

「Putting even the fear of death under the control of his own reasoning. If he is the mastermind of this rebellion, that would mean he is mentally surpassing the monster me even while being a mere human.」

‘Fufu’, she chuckled.

The expression of Raffi herself who was making that analysis turned into a smile when she noticed it.

It wasn’t a broken smile that was invaded by inhuman thought, it was a humane expression.

「Now that Avalon is sealed, the Automata too cannot really move in the open. For the time being we have to form a plan to take back the Grand Force and Aeril Vi Arcadia, and deal with them but──」

After saying that, Raffi stared at the letter that was sent to her before this from a certain pirate.

In the letter, it was written about their purport of snatching away Aeril and the Garden’s Grand Force, furthermore there was also a war declaration towards the New Kingdom.

If the Grand Force in the New Kingdom’s territory was stolen and Aeril who was sheltered in the Academy was also kidnapped, in the next world conference──no, even before waiting for that, all the other countries would immediately question the New Kingdom about this failure.

There was even the possibility of using the surviving Seven Dragon Paladins under the just cause of taking back the Grand Force and rescuing Aeril, to make the New Kingdom became indebted to the other countries for the assistance.

「In that case, I too have no other choice but to make use of them openly and unreservedly.」

Raffi chuckled and wrote letters to the other countries.

She wrote the fact that Aeril was kidnapped, and requested assistance to face the danger to the world.

The murder of Prime Minister Nulph, the assassination of the Old Empire faction, and also the kidnapping of Aeril──she dealt with those facts by blaming it all on the rebels.

In that case, first she had to request the assistance of the greatest fighting force inside the country, Syvalles of Cross Field.

「Perhaps we should also strengthen those girls while we are at it. It’s a good chance, let’s use the tools brought out from Avalon and perform Baptism on them. If it’s those girls surely they would be able to endure it.」

There was a large pot placed inside Raffi’s bedroom.

Even among the legacies of the Ruins, it was a special item that the Lords could control, an item for surgical operations called the 『Coffin』.

It was for the sake of performing Baptism──the body strengthening that was once applied to Yoruka and the Lords with surgical operation that made human body adapt to Elixir.

Part 3

「……Coffin?」

「Right. It’s impossible already for me but, I think that perhaps Lux-kun should do that.」

In the hideout of the Kilzrake family located in the capital’s castle town.

In that place that looked like a noble’s palatial mansion on the surface, Lux was taking a break together with Aeril.

Lux, Aeril, and Magialca were sitting in the spacious living room set up in the underground space.

A day had passed since Aeril’s rescue. It seemed that her body had also calmed down somewhat. Although she couldn’t wear a Drag-Ride, it seemed there was no problem with her health.

There was also this kind of hideout in Cross Field, so they would form their plan when they returned there.

Honestly Lux could only feel complete astonishment towards Magialca who was setting up villas and hideouts everywhere, but this time it saved them.

From here on Magialca too would give her support to Lux, not as a Seven Dragon Paladin, but as the boss of the Kilzrake family.

They were determined to ascertain the truth of the evil aspect of Sacred Eclipse, invade Avalon once more, and stopped it from working.

They took out the Grand Force from the Garden this time.

They also brought out all sorts of Drag-Rides and rare weapons. Other than those there was also recording media Card Chips.

It was unknown what kind of data was stored inside them, but they might become a key in the search for Avalon’s weakness.

Raffi who fused with Sacred Eclipse was also troublesome, but above all else it was Fugil who was the greatest problem.

As long as they didn’t try to harm or capture Raffi, at the present time, Fugil wouldn’t interfere in a big way, but in the end, it would be a different story if Raffi herself headed their way.

In the not so far away future, sooner or later it was a wall that they had to break through.

「Lux-kun is starting to make the power of Baptism into your own but, that’s still not enough. Just like how I’m connected with the power of Ruin and obtained the power of simple perception manipulation, just like how that Kirihime Yoruka-san obtained the power of the magic eye to read presence──I think Lux yourself should also obtain a power.」

For that, they collected a Coffin using the Lord’s authority, but in actuality it wasn’t that simple.

Baptism that granted special abilities by means of body strengthening was accompanied with a really great burden. And they couldn’t surpass Fugil by doing that.

According to Aeril, Fugil’s Baptism applied strengthening to his whole body, including his heart.

To do that it made use of Fugil’s own innate constitution that could also be called as abnormal. Death would be definitely waiting if Lux tried to copy that.

Therefore, Aeril judged that Lux should only focus on strengthening a part of his body with Baptism, just like Yoruka.

「I want you to give me the Baptism as soon as we return to Cross Field. I’ll think about it while on the way back.」

「Right……」

Aeril nodded looking just a bit conflicted.

Challenging Fugil once more and making the New Kingdom into an enemy in order to save Queen Raffi were things that Lux chose himself.

However, even so, she was surely feeling anxious seeing him throw himself into a harsh battle with little chance of victory.

「Don’t make that kind of face Aeril. Because I’m happy. That you are safe. That I’m able to have you, I’m really──」

Lux smiled while expressing his happiness. Aeril’s cheeks blushed red seeing that.

「I see……」

After staring at Lux with an intoxicated expression, she quietly averted her gaze.

In any case, Lux himself would avoid Syvalles’s activities for a while under the pretense of poor physical health. Behind the scenes he would command Aeril and Alma to fight as Kilzrake’s head.

If possible he also wanted a lot more other comrades, but thinking of the aftermath of defeating Queen Raffi, there was no way he could talk to Lisha and the others.

Because, if Lux’s rebellion became a known fact, they would get dragged into it.

At that time he might take Airi and flee to another country.

(Everyone……. Sorry.)

While they loved him and Lux himself also loved them, he might be unable to answer their feelings.

Even if hypothetically he managed to defeat Sacred Eclipse and Fugil, he might have to leave this country secretly without anyone knowing.

His heart felt painful when thinking about the time if it turned out like that.

「An unseen battle to save the New Kingdom. Your qualities as a king are going to be tested once more.」(Magialca)

「It’s nothing that exaggerated.」

He was simply unable to overlook it quietly.

Of Raffi, who was unable to fight against her own weakness and got possessed by Sacred Eclipse.

Of the people who were tricked by her.

And above all else, the matter of Lisha.

「Well, let’s think about the difficult matter later. We have to watch the movements of the queen and the hero-dono too. And so, go take a shower before going back. You also need some rest and change of mood.」

「Understood. Then, please let me borrow the bathroom.」

Lux sighed in relieve and climbed the stair of the underground room just as Magialca told him, heading towards the lodging that was lend to him above.

「Let me say this beforehand though, have you still not noticed? About that kid Alma you see. Actually──that kid is a descendant of the present royal family of the New Kingdom you know?」

「Eh……?」

「Well, it’s fine if you haven’t noticed. It will become clear to you soon anyway.」

Lux tilted his head towards Magialca’s implicative words while heading towards the large public bath.

He heard that currently there was only Alma who was in the middle of bathing, but they were both males so there wouldn’t be any problem. He entered inside.

Lux got out of the cramped changing room and opened the glass door.

There──

「I’m coming in, Alma──……-!?」

「KYAAAAAAAH……!?」

The instant he said that and stepped inside, Lux stiffened like a rock.

What appeared from among the white steam wasn’t the body of a boy, but a skin color with smooth undulation.

To cut the long story short, it was a girl’s body that was quite grown up.

「──Wait, EEEEEH!?」

The face undoubtedly belonged to Alma Kilzrake.

「Lux-kuuun, what are you doinggg?」

Aeril who was at the corner of the bathroom glared at Lux with reproachful eyes.

Naturally she was also naked. Her well fleshed naked body that was contrary to her androgynous image was radiant.

Lux was flustered by the unexpected situation while remembering something in surprise.

The woman called Magialca was a ruffian with mischief that didn’t lose against Relie.

And then, above all else, about the secret that Alma hid.

「E, ehh, that……. Err……. Black Hero, sama!? Auu……!?」

The velvety semi long blond hair, that bright red expression, it made Lux feel a sense of déjà vu.

At the same time, the pieces inside his head slotted into place.

Lisha’s story that he heard in the parade this time came to the forefront of his mind.

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『Recently I’m also seeing a dream……. The dream of before and after the Revolution that happened five years ago.』

『In the past, do you remember when I talked about my little sister? For some reason, that girl’s figure comes to my mind right now.』

Almatea.

When Count Atismata was killed and even his family’s residence and hideout were attacked, that girl was thought to be missing──

『Surely that girl won’t forgive me if she sees me right now. I betrayed father to keep my own life, on top of that I ascended to the seat of the princess of the New Kingdom, the likes of me is just──』

.

At the revolution five years ago, Queen Raffi at that time leaked out information to Waybra.

Because of that, the hideout of Lisha’s little sister Alma was attacked and she was captured.

She was sold to another country and moved from place to place, before she reached the Marcafal Kingdom.

And then, what Alma said to him when investigating the Garden──

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『……That’s right. But that ain’t what hurt me the most. There is my aunt too but, only Onee-chan──my big sister, even though I believed that there is no way she would side with the likes of the Old Empire, and yet……』

.

(I see. She heard about Lisha-sama siding with the Old Empire from the attacking soldiers!)

Her revenge.

Revenge against her aunt who leaked her location to the enemy, and her big sisterLisha who broke her promise and sided with the enemy.

She was trying to make her revenge into reality in the shape of the New Kingdom’s destruction after she finished the mission from the Kilzrake family this time.

「──I, see. So that’s how it is.」

That girl idolized the Black Hero who destroyed the Old Empire and wanted to become Lux’s subordinate.

It was too much of an adverse fate.

But, the instant he understood that, a scenario surfaced in Lux’s mind.

「Alma, I want you to talk to me in detail. About your revenge, and the New Kingdom──」

The instant Lux started talking with a serious face, Aeril splashed him with hot water.

「Do that later! Geez!」

「Sorry……」

Lux instantly recalled that this place was the bathroom.

Part 4

「Kilzrake family……?」

Half a day later, a letter from the New Kingdom’s messenger was sent to the inn where Airi and the others were staying.

The content was instructions of a top secret mission addressed to Syvalles and Relie.

It said, the Grand Force of Garden was stolen by the Marcafal Kingdom’s mafia──the Kilzrake family’s Drag-Knight squad, Azure Division. The mission was to find the group and annihilate them.

And then there was a written invitation to receive the surgery of Baptism for partial strengthening.

A royal order was given out in order to rescue the kidnapped Aeril Vi Arcadia.

Furthermore Lisha who was inside the same room lost her voice seeing the name of the person who was thought to be the mastermind.

Almatea Atismata.

The name of the person who would shake the New Kingdom’s existence once more was written there.

Thus, a new curtain was raised of the probing and all-out war between the New Kingdom camp, versus the Azure Division.