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Chapter 1 – Honeymoon With Childhood Friend
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Part 1
The horse coach was shaking with clattering sound.
The rhythmical sound played by the horse’s hooves and the sound of the wheels rolling on the stone pavement.
A voice suddenly came from the front when the people inside the coach were entrusting their body to that peaceful tune.
「Master! Master Rudy! We are going to arrive soon. How are you feeling?」
「N, nn……master who──!? ……Ah, yeah! It was pleasant.」
Because he was sleepy, Lux was puzzled for a moment about what the person was talking about, but he quickly came back to his senses in surprise and replied back in agreement.
When he straightened his back and stared outside the canopy, the scenery of a tall townscape made from stone that made him felt the gravity of the city’s history came into view.
The capital of Heiburg Republic, the castle town Hidehelm.
Lux arrived at this city after a trip of three days from the new kingdom.
「Are you alright with the inn here, Master Rudy?」
「Yes. I already made reservation. Even so, the city is prospering isn’t it?」
Rudy Eintoss.
A young master who was the heir of a prosperous mercantile house and had just gotten married with his fiancĂŠe a few weeks ago.
That was the fake name and setting that were created to help Lux infiltrating Heiburg this time.
The captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca zen Vanfrick gave him the special mission to search for the traitor of the world alliance. Lux came here to investigate a certain transaction.
Because headmaster Relie and Magialca were friend with each other, this fake setting was also prepared by the guidance of those two but──.
「But it’s better to be careful yeah, young master. In a glance this is a simple and vigorous city, but behind the scene it is swarmed with fishy bunches. Well, it depends on the place though.」
The coachman who said that while smoking out from his pipe honestly also gave out an atmosphere that was suspicious enough.
The man who was wearing a worn-out tailcoat talked to Lux with a hinting smile.
「If you want to drink delicious alcohol, there is a bar in that street there. If you want woman, there is a brothel with quality selections at the neighboring──」
「Wait, it’s okay to not tell me that you know-!?」
Lux became flustered immediately when he heard the word brothel.
「Oops, that’s rude of me, I forgot the lady there. If you have a wife that beautiful, there is no need to buy a woman eeh.」
‘Ha-ha-ha’ The coachman laughed and stopped his coach.
During that time Lux was shaking the shoulder of the girl sleeping beside him to wake her up.
「We arrived Phi-chan. Wake up now.」
「Munya munya. Lu-chan, eating all of my sweets is……no good.」
Those voluptuous bulges of her breasts that were shaking together with her shoulder caused Lux’s gaze to be attracted there unconsciously.
Lux’s childhood friend, Philuffy Aingram’s figure was there to accompany him in his infiltration and investigation.
Her faintly pink hair was tied with a single ribbon. She was wearing a dress with the chest part opened.
According to Relie’s story, in the setting they became 『newly wed husband and wife from a prosperous mercantile house』 but──.
(Is this setting really necessary……?)
Lux made a complicated expression while muttering that inside his heart.
In the first place Lux was opposed to Philuffy accompanying him in a mission this dangerous, but,
『It’s fine. Because, I’ll protect Lu-chan.』
『Aa, how wonderful Phi! That’s the spirit! Just leave the troublesome things for later to me!』
Based on such really simple conversation, Philuffy’s accompaniment was decided.
Philuffy was studying martial art, in addition she also had the power of Abyss so she was ideal for protection duty but──Lux was still uneasy.
But in reality, it was also a fact that there was no one else who was suitable for it.
Lisha, Krulcifer, and Celis were famous existences whose name were known even in other country, while Yoruka, even though she excelled in stealth, she wasn’t suited in acting following a fake setting while infiltrating.
In the end, Lux whose silver hair was dyed black and Philuffy were appointed to this mission.
「Haha, sorry to make you wait young master. You two really look like a newlywed but, to think that you will also brought merchandise here, as expected of the young master, how shrewd.」
After Lux got out of the coach and unloaded his baggage, a servant of the inn came to welcome him.
The inside of the inn was also refined to look fitting for a high class inn. The building was built properly.
It seemed that Relie reserved a hotel that could be trusted even inside the Heiburg’s capital city but──.
「As I thought, it become like this……」
There was only a single double bed inside the room they were showed to.
The make-up of the room was completely for the use of husband and wife.
(Don’t tell me, we are……going to sleep together?)
Lux entered the room with his heart pounding fast. Philuffy also followed him together.
Until this point they had safely managed to infiltrate until this place that would be their base.
「Phi-chan, are you tired? It seems that after this today there will be a party in the nearby social meeting place though?」
「I’m fine, I’m only just a bit sleepy. Fua」
「At least say that with your eyes open……」
Lux sighed at his childhood friend’s attitude that was still at her own pace even inside the enemy territory while he also feeling relieved at the same time.
Even though they were infiltrating into the enemy territory for a secret information gathering, they were also burdened with the disguise of doing honeymoon trip.
Philuffy’s warm and snug atmosphere helped him from his nervousness that made him stiff and awkward.
By the way, to make their disguise absolutely sure, they didn’t use Drag-Ride at all throughout the journey from the new kingdom until Heiburg.
After getting sent by Drag-Knights who had occupation carrier, the two of them changed into riding horse coach to come until here. Because it was a long trip, Philuffy who was easy to fall asleep became like this.
「Then, I’ll go there alone, so Phi-chan just wait here. I’ll also eat at that meeting place.」
「Eat……, what will come out there?」
Instantly, the girl’s eyes snapped open and Lux’s image was reflected on her golden colored pupils.
「……Err, it will be a buffet party with foods that used ingredients from various countries, and it’s all you can eat.」
「I’ll also go. I have to act properly, as Lu-chan’s bodyguard.]
Within her absentminded atmosphere, sparkling anticipation could be peeked. Philuffy clenched her fist.
Lux unconsciously smiled wryly and said.
「Phi-chan. In the middle of the party, that’s……your role will be as my wife, that’s why」
Lux’s face was feeling hot even though he was just reminding her of only the setting of their disguise this time.
「Yes. Take care of me, Lu-chan.」
Philuffy responded with a faint smile. Seeing her expression, Lux’s heart jumped strongly.
(Calm down me, it’s not like Phi-chan is actually my wife for real……)
Although, as expected he felt conscious of it no matter what.
Although it would be just a disguise, they would actually act like that, so Lux imagined the scene of Philuffy acting as his spouse.
His relationship with Philuffy went past being a good friend, they were a bit like family with each other, but──.
「Ei」
「Uwah!?」
The sensation of his cheek suddenly getting touched surprised Lux.
Philuffy’s fingertip was pocking on his cheek still with her serious face.
「Lu-chan is, a bit nervous.」
「…………」
「It’s no good, if you aren’t a bit more like usual, you know?」
Lux stiffened with a speechless smile hearing what Philuffy pointed out.
If he looked back, when they were children there were times when Philuffy asked him to play this kind of make believe.
「Thank you Phi-chan. Then, let’s go together.」
「Right.」
Philuffy nodded slightly and slowly presented her hand to him.
Lux took her hand and then they got into the coach waiting outside once more.
The baggage they were carrying was filled with valuable parts and some merchandises.
Attending the party this time would also become the preparatory steps for the infiltration mission.
While they were advancing through the stone paving street inside the shaking coach again, a strange sight entered their eyes.
Besides the lining up buildings that looked spectacular in a glance, there was a back alley that was interposed by thick stone walls. Desolate slum area was spreading there.
(Heiburg Republic……)
When Lux saw that sight, he recalled the old empire in the past.
The mission of Lux and Philuffy this time──discovering the traitor that was lurking within the world alliance.
Lux quietly thought back to the reason why he was ordered by Magialca to carry out this mission.
–
Part 2
Inside the underground library where countless bookshelves were lined up.
In that hidden room that existed within the Academy’s ground, Lux couldn’t believe what he was told.
「What do you mean that there is a traitor within the world alliance?」
Lux asked back with bewilderment at the girl──no, her appearance was young, but she was a woman with personality of quite many years accumulated.
The captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca zen Vanfrick.
What the female leader of the world’s biggest conglomerate told him was actually a simple answer.
The erasure of the traitor was one of the demands that Listelka, the imperial princess of the Lords mentioned at the world summit.
Her first demand was the annihilation of the hostile organization, Dragon Marauder.
Second, the investigation and discovery of the seventh Ruin, Moon.
Third, the suppression of traitor that was assumed to be hiding within the alliance.
All of those demands were presented by the lords as issue for the sake of conquering all the Ruins within half a year, but honestly speaking something felt out of place.
「Well, we cannot assert that there is no traitor among us. In the first place if it’s something like keeping silent about the information related to Ruin that has to be reported, every country isn’t completely innocent of that isn’t that right?」
「…………」
Lux too could do nothing but staying quiet at the question that was filled with repulsive jest.
Just like how Ymir Theocracy stayed quiet about the matter of Automaton Ney Louches, the new kingdom also stayed silent about possessing one of the Grand Forces since some time ago.
By the way, the Dark Marketer Hayes who attacked the new kingdom to destroy the country.
Her existence that possessed the same traits like the ancient Lords──the person of Holy Arcadia Empire, after that Listelka was also questioned about her.
『Yes, my little sister was awoke a few years earlier than me from our sleep. I’m not sure why she rushed to do such act, but my little sister has redeemed her sin with her loss of life. Perhaps she was feeling anger and unease──that she has to take back what has been plundered from the Ruins during our sleep. Regarding our inability to stop my little sister’s act that was the result of a misunderstanding, I will apologize as the representative of our side.』
She easily reciprocated like that.
If she said that the tragedy occurred because the people of the old empire laid their hand and robbed on the Ruins that were managed by the Lords, then their side was also unable to press further.
Although in regard to Hayes, there was also sign that she had already awakened since the time of human experiment in the era of the old empire but──there was no proof or anything left about that.
「Of course, the possibility that those fossils mentioned punishing the traitor only as deterrence to the countries from here on also cannot be discounted. But from the way they talked, I felt that they had a more definite idea about the traitor’s existence.」
「That’s──?」
When Lux reflexively asked back, Magialca crossed her arms and grinned fearlessly.
「You don’t get the idea? It’s the existence of the rebels called Dragon Marauder.」
「……!? Dragon Marauder, is it?」
The warmonger mercenary organization that was employed by influential people who held enmity against the countries that were monopolizing the Ruins.
A group that was similarly plotting to conquer the Ruins should be an opponent that was unrelated to the traitor amidst the world alliance but──.
「Don’t tell me there is a traitor that is connected to them amidst us?」
When Lux spoke that cautiously, Magialca casted her eyes down and nodded.
「Well, that’s how it is. In the first place there are several suspicious points about the Dragon Marauder’s existences itself.」
Magialca continued the talk while sighing.
「It seems those guys are using Drag-Rides and weapons that were illegally excavated from Ruins, but the big countries too aren’t that stupid. No one can steal from the Ruins that easily. In that case, isn’t it normal to think that at first there was a country somewhere that illegally diverted Drag-Rides to them?」
「……Then, you are saying that there is a traitor in Heiburg Republic means──」
Lux muttered with a nervous look. Magialca opened her eyes in admiration.
「As expected from my favorite hero. You’ve got prospect.」
Magialca’s finger tried to stroke Lux’s chest with a natural movement, but because Lux quietly backed away, her finger cut through the air in vain.
「Cough. The Black Marketer Hayes who raised havoc in the market since some years ago. That woman was doubtlessly involved in the founding of Dragon Marauder.」
「How, can you reach that conclusion?」
「The ledger. Even like this I’m a head of a company. A few years ago, when I did a business of selling Drag-Ride with high price, for some reason there was a business rival who I couldn’t match at all. That was really irritating. Several get rich quick schemes that wouldn’t come that often slipped away from me──」
「Eerr, then Hayes sold Drag-Rides that she brought out from Ruins to Heiburg, and then from there Heiburg diverted them into Dragon Marauder, is that right?」
When Lux cut off Magialca’s resentful complain with his question, she immediately nodded.
「The possibility is there. Using the Drag-Ride production facility that is rumored to exist within the Ruin GIgas, that woman conspired with Heiburg’s army commander. She raised her fame in less than a few years by doing that and climbed to the top to become a country’s strategist. It was quite a possible reason wasn’t it?」
「……Say, could it be captain is holding a grudge about that that time?」
When Lux spontaneously asked after hearing Magialca’s tone that was overflowing with cynicism,
「That’s not true at all. I only thought that there is no way a newcomer who can do business better than me without doing any petty trick and fraud can exist. Something like feeling vexed because my own plan got crushed is something that never crossed my mind at the slightest.」
「I, is that so……. But, even if Heiburg’s military division was really connected with Dragon Marauder──now it’s already too late.」
Hayes had vanished, and nowadays Dragon Marauder’s prominence was standing out.
Lux thought that there would be no more merit of doing business negotiation with them.
「No……that negotiation will surely happen before long. Business relationship isn’t something that can be cut off that easily until you find the substitute. With the increase of danger level of the Ruin at present, those Dragon Marauders are losing a lot of their force. They got no other place to depend on other than Heiburg.」
The rampage of Dilwy that happened in Vanheim Principality.
The failure of Pope Nias’s kidnapping plan in Ymir Theocracy.
And then the rescue operation of division commander Drakkhen that happened in the new kingdom just the other day.
It wouldn’t be wrong to consider that Dragon Marauder had lost quite a number of soldier and Drag-Ride from those battles.
Their remaining decent Drag-Knights were less than 200, thus they would want to reinforce their battle force, surely.
「But, Heiburg’s military shouldn’t have any reason to respond to them right?」
Even if Heiburg was connected with Dragon Marauder, in this situation after the Lord’s imperial family had given a warning, they shouldn’t be able to make contact carelessly.
When Lux expressed his opinion, the mature girl chuckled and stared at him.
「Then while sudden, here is a question. In case you want to carry out a hidden transaction, what kind of method you are going to use?」
「Hidden, transaction is it……?」
Even if he was asked that, he had no recollection of doing business discussion in his time of doing chores.
But at the time that was predating it, if it was from the time when Lux was elaborating the plan to destroy the old empire──.
「I would do it behind the scene of some kind of big event, or else……」
「Mixed it inside that big event itself. Something like that right? And then, soon Heiburg will be holding a fair that is called as underground market.」
「Ah……」
Lux reflexively slipped out his voice seeing Magialca’s hinting smile.
「Now you see. Those Lord bunches will go around looking at the various unconquered Ruins while putting the world alliance under surveillance. On the other hand because Heiburg had finished conquering GIgas, the surveillance on them is thin. Don’t you think that the next underground market is just the ideal chance?」
「Then──」
「Right. If you can just pin down the transaction place, I’ll be right behind you then. Go carefully okay, mister hero.」
Magialca’s wicked smile looked like she had a hidden motive.
When Lux was going to turn his back on her and left, she recalled something and said to him.
「Aa, wait a second my sweetheart. This is a message from Relie about a different matter but, recently do you have something that you want? She will prepare anything you want as the reward of this mission you know?」
──Suddenly she said such thing that was unrelated with the main topic.
–
Part 3
「Thank you for waiting, Rudy Eintoss-sama, Phianel-sama. This is the banquet venue of our Viablue Company.」
After a while, the coach finally arrived at a western-style mansion that was the venue of the social meeting place.
Naturally, Lux and Philuffy’s names were fake name.
It seemed that the mansion was originally used for a meeting place, but right now it was decorated magnificently.
The red carpet had a softness where it felt like the tip of one’s feet would sink into it, while the chandelier was designed luxuriously.
Extravagant dishes were lining up above the tablecloth, while even the plates and glasses were quality goods.
Furthermore the people walking around inside were also clad with extraordinary atmosphere.
There was an old man with white beard was gazing at the participants with sharp glint, then a fat middle-aged man who looked good natured was coming with two beautiful women as his company.
Lux thought it was great that he was brought by Relie and Philuffy to learn about company previously.
If he acted restlessly in this kind of place, he wouldn’t be in any state to gather information.
「Oh, this is unusual. You seem to be still young, where do you come from?」
While Lux was thinking about such thing, a lean man wearing a dress suit suddenly talked to him.
For the time being Lux put into practice a line that he had prepared beforehand.
He told the man that he was a son from a mercantile house in the neighboring country, and that the two of them attended this party while also having their honeymoon at the same time.
「Hou, how hardworking. More importantly, how about it? Are you interested in giving that beautiful wife an ornament as present──」
Like that the man searched for a chance to open a negotiation, but Lux refused him mildly.
On the other hand, Philuffy was silently continuing to eat the dishes on the table. Till the end she was on her own pace.
「Hohou. You are quite the eater, how about it? After this let’s have a drink──」
And so on, the men were incessantly trying to invite her. Seeing from that, it appeared that Philuffy’s charm was displayed as expected.
Philuffy with her hair in a tied up hairstyle while wearing a dress with chic color gave an impression that was slightly more adult than usual.
Her big breasts that were peeking out from her exposed chest part and her girly looks that still had the vague trace of childishness, they tickled the emotion of the men greatly.
Because she was his childhood friend since they were little, usually it was hard for Lux to be conscious of it, but Philuffy was really lovely.
(But, it will be bad if Phi-chan get tricked, if I don’t pay attention somehow──)
When Lux was observing Philuffy’s action attentively like that,
「Even so, to come purposefully at this kind of time, are you going to participate in that event too young master?」
Another male merchant talked to Lux with deep interest.
Lux immediately held his breath hearing the merchant said 『that event』 suggestively.
The underground market that would be held behind the scene of Heiburg’s company party.
Lux heard from Magialca and Relie that there commodities that were almost illegal would be traded.
However, to participate in the underground market itself wasn’t that hard.
Because ticket sellers who were selling the participation ticket were coming and going a lot at this kind of party.
However, if someone without connection tried to buy ticket, he heard that they would get ripped off by quiet much.
「Could it be, it’s that──? Is it?」
「Luckily for you I still have some left, I got only two tickets coincidentally.」
Lux smiled wryly inside his heart at the seller attitude showing off how few his remaining stocks was left.
But, it wasn’t like Lux himself was proficient at bargaining in business, so he went right to the point.
「How much will it take for me to obtain it?」
「Let’s see, how about this much?」
The man immediately took out ink and feather pen and wrote the sum.
If it was the Lux when he was still at his chores period, the sum would make his eyes jumped out from their sockets, but now he had the war funds he received from Relie.
In the first place this time he came here for intelligence gathering so there was no meaning in being stingy.
When Lux who thought that reached toward his wallet, the man’s eyes sparkled.
「Well, don’t be so hurried to conclude this. By the way, the money that you brought here, do you have old gold coin among them?」
「Eerr──that’s right, why?」
Most of the things that Lux brought here as merchandises were things that could easily be exchanged into funds.
These old coins were antique gold coin that Relie prepared for him, they were things with high rarity value.
It seemed that things from the latter period of Raize era had high price even among those kinds of things.
「Can you show me one of them? If they are the real thing then I’ll exchange the tickets with several of the coins.」
「Got it. Please take a look.」
Lux made an immediate decision and put the bag that was filled with the gold coins on the table.
「Then excuse me……」
The man opened the bag and took out one coin from there──.
「Hmm? This isn’t coin from that era’s latter period. It seems this is the gold coin from the early days of Raize history.」
「Eh……?」
Lux asked back in bewilderment.
He found it hard to believe that Relie would make a mistake of putting fake in what she gave him, but even when he asked a specialist appraiser who was in the venue, it seemed that what the man said was true.
(It didn’t like he was doing any trick, could this be Relie-san’s mistake?)
Lux didn’t understand the subtle difference in the antique coins, so he could only make that judgment.
「It seems that you recognize what I’m saying. Then, I think I will be able to part with my tickets in exchange of everything inside this bag──」
「Lu-chan, wait.」
At that time when the transaction was going to get finalized, Philuffy came out from inside the crowd and approached Lux’s side with one hand holding a huge meat with bone attached.
「Wait, Phi-chan!? What are you doing?」
「Don’t give the bag……okay? Because Onee-chan said it, those are antique gold coins. Mogu moguchew chew」
「Ho, however this carved date and the coloring are without a doubt the early days’──」
The appraiser old man was saying that, but Philuffy brought her face closer and sniffed the smell.
And then, she spoke with her usual expressionless face.
「It’s only that gold coin that smell different. I think that perhaps, the other coins were the ones from Onee-chan.」
「Wha-……!? Ju, just what are you saying……」
The man smiled bitterly at what Philuffy pointed out, but Lux didn’t overlook his agitation.
Philuffy pointed out that there was only one fake, in other words……
「I’m sorry appraiser-san. Can I ask you to take a look at the rest of the golden coins too?」
「Right. Oh──, certainly this one is genuine.」
Saying that, Lux showed another gold coin to the appraiser. Then the appraiser informed him that it was the real thing.
Now that it had come to this, it was the ticket seller who first came to open negotiation with him who was suspicious.
When Lux turned a suspecting gaze at the man, he started to make excuse in a hurry.
「I see, it seemed that there was just one different gold coin that got mixed up. In that case──」
「Inside your clothes, I smell the same scent like the golden coin before, ……though?」
「Uguh……!?」
The man’s expression changed when Philuffy pointed out. He reflexively tried to turn around, but his hand was quickly caught and twisted.
Right after that, even more antique coins and jewelries of different types were falling out from his sleeve.
「This is──could it be」
When the appraiser checked them, anyone of them was valuable item, but the price was low or of inferior quality.
In other words this ticket seller looked for a chance to mix in fake to lower the value and bought it at lower price.
Most likely he saw Lux’s behavior and saw through that Lux was an amateur as a merchant and came to trick him. But Philuffy’s nose was outside his calculation.
「This ticket, is real?」
Philuffy lightly twisted the man’s arm and asked quietly.
「U, undoubtedly! If I faked the ticket to enter the underground market, I’ll get killed!」
Lux nodded after hearing the man’s urgent voice and looked at Philuffy.
Philuffy let go of the man’s hand and quietly held out her hand.
「Ah, yes. The, the ticket is it? The, then just as I said I will give it up for five Raize gold coins──」
「I want, tickets for two.」
「Eh……!?」
「Make it three coins for two people.」
Philuffy told the bewildered man indifferently.
Although the man was reluctant, because there was the case just now, in the end he was overwhelmed by Philuffy.
「I get the ticket, Lu-chan.」
「Ahaha……, thank you.」
Philuffy showed a small smile, where Lux responded with a wry smile.
Previously when he went with Relie to a company for observation, Philuffy also saw through fake merchandise and she was also firm at the negotiation after that.
(Perhaps Philuffy is really suited for doing business as expected……)
Her intention was hard to read with her absentminded expressionless face, and with her doing everything at her own pace, it also meant that she wouldn’t be carried by the other party’s flow.
And then, there was also the strength of her will that wouldn’t yield once she had decided something.
How should he say it, while he was feeling surprised, at the same time he also felt a bit lonely.
Because they had been childhood friend since the past, but he thought that it would be his role to be reliable like that.
At any rate, with this they had broke through the first wall.
The opening of the underground market would be one week later according to the ticket.
Until then they would stay in this capital city Hidehelm and continued to gather intelligence.
「Yes. I also brought the share, for Lu-chan’s meal.」
「Ah, yes. Thank you──wait, I cannot eat this much you know-!?」
Lux reflexively yelled when he looked at the amount of dish Philuffy put on the plate.
Grilled chicken with herb, mash potato, fish sautĂŠ, assortment of fruits, and so on. She was carrying a great amount of food.
「Because Onee-chan told me, a wife has to prepare her husband’s meal.」
「The essential way of doing it is careless though!?」
「As husband and wife, we have to act natural, Onee-chan said to me.」
「This is conspicuous instead!? In various meanings since some time ago!?」
When Lux tried to return the dishes, he was told by the banquet’s cook to please eat it with a smiling face.
It seemed that he was really pleased by the way Philuffy ate.
「Here Lu-chan. Open your mouth, aahn」
「Why are you acting like always only in that kind of thing!?」
Although, seeing how they had to keep the appearance of doing honeymoon, strangely rejecting her act was also unnatural.
(Somehow, now I’m wondering if it’s really okay to infiltrate together with Philuffy……)
In the first place, didn’t they pretend to be spouses so they wouldn’t be standing out?
Lux was thinking such question in his head while passing time through the party with Philuffy.
–
Part 4
「Fuu……. We managed it somehow for the time being, I think?」
At their return home from the western-style mansion that was the banquet venue.
Lux and Philuffy were slowly walking through the town.
Although it wasn’t snowing, because it was early winter the night felt cold to the skin, and the win was penetrating into the body even through the coat.
They didn’t get back straight to the inn with coach in order to learn Heiburg’s geography.
And Lux and Philuffy had another reason to do this, a hidden objective.
Even so──it was strange.
Even though this should be the first time Lux and Philuffy visited Heiburg, for some reason a nostalgic air could be felt from the scenery.
He felt that him walking while holding hand with Philuffy also somehow took a part in the nostalgic feeling.
「Somehow, this feels nostalgic. Walking in town like this with Lu-chan.」
「……You’re, right. The last time was at Airi’s birthday I think.」
A memory was replayed at the back of Lux’s mind at the same time when he whispered that.
It was when he was a child, when he was playing with Philuffy at the imperial capital.
Normally they didn’t really go out to the city much, but sometimes they would went out behind their parents’ back.
When they went to buy stuffed toy for Airi’s present, Lux wore a hat low over his eyes so he wouldn’t get found out as a prince. They went around at shops together then.
Thinking back now, it was one of his few happy childhood memories.
「Come to think of it, I still haven’t thank you right?」
「……?」
Lux suddenly remembered and asked. Philuffy tilted her head wordlessly.
「Remember, you helped me choosing present for Airi’s birthday. At that time I said that next time I’ll also buy present for Phi-chan.」
「Right, perhaps.」
But, in the end his childhood promise couldn’t be accomplished.
Before the birthday of Philuffy that year could come, the environment around Lux changed drastically.
His lost his mother in an accident. He was separated from Philuffy because of her family’s circumstance, and that was that.
And then since they were reunited in the Academy until now, various things happened.
He recalled that Philuffy’s birthday wasn’t far away.
In only ten more days, her birthday would come when this mission was over.
「Say, Phi-chan, is there anything you want?」
Those words suddenly spilled out from Lux’s mouth
「…………」
Philuffy’s eyes turned round for a moment, then her expression returned to her usual absentminded look and she fell silent.
When Lux peered on her face thinking if she didn’t hear him, it seemed she was thinking. She gave him her answer.
「If it’s from Lu-chan, than anything is fine.」
「……I see. Right, got it.」
Lux thought that her answer was really like Philuffy.
She basically loved food like sweets and the like, but it was hard to understand what she wanted other than that.
This girl didn’t wish for much and always stayed by his side.
Exactly because it was right now where the world might end in half more year, he wanted to properly convey his feeling to her through giving her present.
His feeling of gratitude for giving him the impetus to get back on his feet──.
While he was walking with such thought in mind, Philuffy suddenly closed her distance with him quietly.
「Wai-!? What’s the matter Phi-chan!?」
She clung on him closely from the side. Her soft sensation and body warmth were transmitted across the smooth fabric of her dress.
「Because Lu-chan, you look freezing.」
「N, no. I’m fine, it’s just this much! Mo, more importantly I’m wearing coat.」
「Lu-chan, you’re cold. Even though, I’m your wife right now.」
「……-!?」
Philuffy pouted a bit at Lux’s bashfulness.
In the end this honeymoon should be nothing more than a camouflage, but when Philuffy mentioned being a 『wife』 once more, his heart skipped a beat whether he wished it or not.
He wondered if he was actually wedded with Philuffy for real, would it be something like this.
At that time when Lux’s heart was pounding hard, a presence suddenly appeared behind.
「Oops, the two going lovey dovey over there. It’s not safe to stay this late at night you know?」
「Ri-ght ri-ght. Just because you two are in a honeymoon, aren’t you two being a bit too carried away? If you two don’t be careful on the street at night──wait, ouch ouch ouch-! Give up, give up-! Heeellllpp-!」
Three people called out from behind.
When one of them tried to grab Lux’s shoulder, Philuffy instantly took that hand and twisted it.
「Yes. That was why I said to stop with the joke. Really, what a troubling person.」
「Ahaha……it’s been a while, everyone.」
Lux let his guard down hearing the girls’ familiar voices and smiled wryly.
The Triads who he knew well from the new kingdom’s Academy were lined up in front of him.
Sharis, Tillfur, Noct, the three of them were arranged to contact Lux at this mission periodically to transfer information to the new kingdom.
「It’s great that you seem to be in a good health, Lux-kun. You still haven’t crossed the line with missy Philuffy right?」
「Just what are you worrying about so suddenly!?」
Lux was immediately flustered by what the leader Sharis pointed out.
「Yes. It looks like I will be able to bring a good report for Airi too. Although Lux-san is really unreliable in woman relationship, so I believe in you.」
「Make it clear whether you are praising or speaking ill of me-!?」
Lux yelled even more after receiving Noct’s calm verbal abuse.
「Fuuu……. Because it’s kinda uacceptable. Even though the atmosphere in the new kingdom is tense, and yet it’s only Lux-chi who is going to have a fun honeymoon. Isn’t there any role that I also can do? Like pretending to be mistress or something?」
「Look here……. We are pretty much coming here for an extremely secret mission though.」
Lux retorted with a wry smile at the grumbling of Tillfur who was freed from Philuffy’s arm lock.
These three were like always, but thanks to them he also felt like his tension was loosened.
「Now then, we shouldn’t talking while standing like this, let’s go back to the inn and talk. After all our position today isn’t as a student. I’ve picked up some alcohol and snack too.」
「Err, you are absolutely having fun aren’t you?」
Lux muttered with a really complicated expression. Sharis showed a cheerful smile.
After that, they returned to the inn with everyone and took a light break while exchanging information with each other.
「Then──how is it going in the new kingdom?」
Sharis straightened her back in respond to the question that Lux asked with a low voice.
The flippant atmosphere until just now vanished and she showed a quiet expression.
「We are forced into considerable hardships there. Military force from Heiburg Republic is already occupying the west territory of the new kingdom──the port city Triport near Babel. It seems their supply train was already arranged, and they began entering Babel from the other day.」
In the middle of the campus festival──because of the skill exhibition battle that was held under the presence of the Lords, Heiburg Republic was granted with the right to conquer Babel inside the new kingdom’s territory for a month.
The port city Triport where their troops that were formed mainly around Drag-Knights was enveloped in grave atmosphere as though the city was suppressed and turned into a garrison.
One of the four great nobles who was entrusted with the western territory, Dist Ralgris was also focusing on security with all his might, but it appeared the citizens of Triport were spending days without sleeping due to the threat of Abyss that might arrived anytime.
「What about Lisha-sama and everyone else?」
Lux asked while eating sandwich with cheese and meat in between.
Philuffy was also silently snacking on a deep-fried bread despite the amount that she had eaten in the party before this.
「The princess and others are essential battle force there. She is taking turn with Celis in the port city to take command of the new kingdom’s military there. Though truthfully we also want missy Krulcifer and missy Yoruka to be all present there.」
「Weell, if those four are all present at the same time, as expected the other side will be on guard.」
「Yes. Our infiltration to here is also being suspected.」
Tillfur and Noct added some more to Sharis’s answer.
If all the users of Divine Drag-Ride were mostly going out, as expected the other side would be on guard wondering what the two who weren’t there were doing.
The new kingdom was receiving backup from Vanheim Principality and Ymir Theocracy sometimes, but as expected it seemed guarding Triport was an exhausting work.
After all, they didn’t know when the Abysses inside the Babel that Heiburg military failed to defeat would go out and went to the nearby Triport.
It seemed that Celis’s sense of responsibility and Lisha’s show of courage didn’t let them complain, but the chance was that they wouldn’t be able to hold out if this situation continued for a month.
It seemed they had Krulcifer and Yoruka to harden the defense of the Academy.
It was planned for them to alternate with Lisha and Celis in guarding Triport every few days.
Regarding that, there shouldn’t be any problem right now but,
「And, what about her?」
Lux nervously touched the topic about the information that he wanted to know the most.
The Seven Dragon Paladins of Heiburg Republic, Rosa Granhide.
She was a Drag-Knight that possessed an alias of the Steel Witch, and gave an impression like an unsheathed sharp blade.
He had severe personality with bared hostility, and it was rumored that he murdered five military cadets in mock battle at Heiburg.
Even though she possessed overwhelming strength as Drag-Knight, because of her severe disposition, she had a shady history where her existence itself was hidden from other countries.
Lux had no time to investigate in detail about her, so he told Airi and Triad before he left the country that he wanted them to gather information but──.
「About that, we don’t find anything even when we investigated her. In the first place we have conflict with Heiburg since the era of old empire and they broke off relation with us, obtaining information about their Drag-Knight is especially hard.」
「Yes. Airi also seemed to be frustrated.」
The result was contrary to his expectation, but it couldn’t be helped.
Lux thought that and sighed, but then Sharis proudly puffed up her chest.
「──That was what we were going to say, but we have prepared a souvenir for you at least. Currently, there is no sign Lady Rosa is going to move away from the new kingdom. Regarding the soldiers’ commanding, it seems that it’s being done by a female general who is her aide.」
「I see.」
Even if someone flew using Drag-Ride in full speed, it would take about a day and a half from Triport to this Hidehelm.
If he knew that Rosa wasn’t here, it would be somewhat easier to investigate.
Although the possibility was high that she was connected with this backroom deal, so he couldn’t feel completely relieved.
「Like that we finished with the report, should we stay here too tonight? Lux-chi too, you are uneasy staying with just the two of you here right?」
「No. I judge that we should go back immediately. There is no time for playing.」
「It’s unfortunate but it can’t be helped. It looks like you have found out about the date of the underground market, so we will show up again around that day.」
Noct rejected Tillfur’s joke while Sharis concluded the talk.
This time the role of the Triad was as pipe to convey the information of new kingdom to Lux.
In case Heiburg military conquered Babel and reached until the floor where the Ragnarok existed, Lord Dist said that Lux’s cooperation for the defense there would be indispensable.
The Triad were cracking jokes, but they must be quiet nervous too.
「Nn……. See you again, everyone.」
「Yeah, missy Philuffy too, just because this is a honeymoon don’t cut loose too much.」
The Triad left the inn with those teasing words as parting gift.
「Fuu……」
When Lux sighed, he noticed that Philuffy beside him had vanished without him realizing it.
It seemed she was eating sweets without saying anything during the strategy meeting but──.
「Lu-chan, you’re tired……. You have to, sleep soon.」
「Uwah!?」
Philuffy suddenly embraced him from behind with gentle strength.
The voluptuous body texture that he felt across her nightwear caused Lux’s head to boil up spontaneously .
「Wha-, what are you doing Phi-chan? Wait, are you drunk!?」
He wondered if she drank the alcohol that Sharis and co brought, but it seemed she was simply sleepy.
She was hugging Lux firmly with drowsy eyes.
The faint scent of perfume that was mixed with the wafting sweet smell of a girl was making Lux’s emotion to seethe.
「I, I’m all right! Phi-chan, you go sleep first──」
He somehow refused her invitation and tried to escape but,
「……I’m Lu-chan’s wife, so I have to take care of you, that was what Onee-chan said.」
「No this is just acting I told you!? It’s fine to not go this far when there is no one around!」
The moment Lux reflexively yelled, he was pushed down on the bed.
「-……!?」
The texture of Philuffy’s flushed body.
Lux almost raised his voice reflexively, it was then──,
「Zzz……」
Philuffy’s eyes closed completely and a quiet sleeper’s breathing slipped out from her mouth.
「……Haa」
Lux patted down his chest in relieve while pulling off Philuffy’s body from him.
It wasn’t like he didn’t feel slightly reluctant to part from her, but he decided that it was just his imagination.
Before they went to the social meeting place, they had lightly wiped their body, so he guessed that it would be fine not to wake her up tonight.
「Even so, as expected we cannot sleep together……」
The bed was double-sized, but it was troubling that there was only one.
Rather than a matter of space, it was Lux who had no confidence that he would be able to maintain his reasoning.
「Really, just what is Relie-san thinking……」
He also felt like that she wasn’t thinking anything.
No, in a sense her aim was terribly easy to understand.
After all Relie’s wish was for Lux to be wedded with Philuffy.
「But, the me right now, has no leeway to think about such thing──」
It was a bit cold because it was early winter, but he had no choice than to sleep on the sofa.
Lux took a piece of blanket and smiled at Philuffy’s sleeping face.
「Rest well, Phi-chan.」
He turned off the lamp’s light and closed his eyes inside the darkness.
He felt intense uneasy feeling in this situation where he was infiltrating enemy territory and regarding the dispute around the first Ruin Babel.
He was a bit anxious whether he could fall asleep, but Lux’s consciousness was sinking naturally perhaps because of the cold.
–
Part 5
That night, Lux was watching a dream of the past.
It was a nostalgic past that tended to be a bitter memory.
The scene from seven years ago of the suffering from the old empire’s tyrannical rule and the discrimination from male chauvinism.
He was banished from the imperial court and lost him mother in an accident.
And then──Lux stood up in order to change the empire, this was his action after that.
He obtained knowledge by searching and reading the book written by the predecessors in the library, at the same time he polished his skill with Drag-Ride.
It wasn’t enough no matter how much time he had.
He focused on his study and training from morning until evening that he even forgot to sleep.
He was able to sharpen his fang until so far in that short time──and then to even arrive until the point where the empire was dismantled, was largely thanks to Fugil’s assistance, but in one part it was also due to the strength of Lux’s will.
BUt──,
『Hahaa, I get it. You are scared right? Of the reality that what you once believed as right and accomplished might be a mistake.』
The sentence that the Blue Tyrant, Shinglen Shelbrit once told to him caused a twinge of pain in Lux’s chest.
(……Wrong. I’m not hesitating anymore. In order to protect the people who I want to protect, I don’t feel any doubt.)
He had no problem in becoming Seven Dragon Paladins in order to save his little sisterAirifrom danger.
He should have sworn to himself that he wouldn’t be scared anymore of the failure that destroyed the old empire in the past.
(However, why?)
He had to find the proof of the backroom dealing of Rosa Granhide, the King of Vices who caused the new kingdom to be in danger, and defeated her.
Even though this act should be the right one, for some reason Lux was feeling contradiction inside himself.
He wouldn’t be able to protect everyone without defeating the enemy that put the new kingdom in danger.
However, even so Lux’s wish was…
–
「──!?」
Lux opened his eyes above the sofa due to a disturbing sound.
He couldn’t feel light from the other side of the curtain. The air was cold. It was still late at night.
He immediately went alert and got up. His hand reached toward his Sword Device.
(Enemy? No, wrong──the aim isn’t us……)
Lux held his breath and observed the surrounding’s situation. As he thought, there was voice.
Furthermore it was a loud voice of an angry man that could be heard from far away.
It sounded like someone was condemning another person because of a foot getting caught on something or colliding with someone.
Perhaps because it was midnight, the sound was echoing.
Sometimes weak scream of a girl reached even until this inn’s room.
「Nn, munya……」
Philuffy hadn’t noticed the sounds, she was still sleeping perhaps because she was tired.
Lux quietly exited the room and got down to the first floor. He called out to the inn’s owner who was still awake.
「Oh, what’s the mother young master? The door will be closed soon. How about you postpone your outing for tomorrow?」
「No, rather than that just what was that scream──?」
Lux asked with a tense expression, but the inn’s owner, a middle aged man only lightly joined his hands together and said 「Aa」.
「Surely that must be annoying, but there is no need to worry. It should stop soon……」
「That’s not it, shouldn’t we help? Perhaps there is a girl who is being attacked you know? Shouldn’t we call the guards or──」
Lux was irritated by the man’s calm while insisting on that.
But, the reply of the inn’s owner was unexpected.
「Young master, is this your first time coming to this city?」
「Eh……?」
The man leaked out a sigh at Lux’s bewildered reaction.
「I understand your feeling but please stop. The man who was yelling angrily like that is the guard. Furthermore that man is a noble and a squad leader class. I’m familiar with his voice.」
The man spoke dispassionately while scratching his head with a troubled look.
「Here is the capital so it’s excessively awful. If anyone tries to do anything suspicious even for just a little bit, the guards will soon hear about it. If they aren’t satisfied with money or body, then it would be prison for the suspect.」
Those words of resignation rapidly cooled down Lux’s heated head.
Right after that, he immediately reached an answer.
「In other words, it’s that kind of thing? We cannot oppose Heiburg’s military officer who is drunk and picking on girl right now──」
「This isn’t a problem about which is right and which is wrong. If we speak out carelessly, it will be us who get crushed. That’s all.」
「──I understand. Excuse me.」
Lux acted as though he was backing down sensibly and returned to his room.
He heard that in this Heiburg the segregation of status was distinct but, so this was what it meant.
The noble military officers and their dependents whose influence were strengthened, the ordinary citizens, and then──the poor people.
Heiburg that got its territory threatened by the old empire Arcadia and exposed to the danger of Ragnarok then concentrated to the route of expanding their military might.
The distortion of authority that it brought about stole the position of the leaders that the mass selected and put up the military in an overwhelming predominance.
Without armed might, they would lose strength in every respect whether in war, defense, and Ruin investigation.
The place Heiburg ended up on that route was the tyranny of the soldiers.
It was a system of government by influential people who resembled the old empire.
Lux who once experienced the front and the back of that era was immediately able to comprehend the situation.
(If I want to accomplish my mission safely, I shouldn’t risk danger now in this place. But──)
When he noticed, his hand had reached out toward the merchandise bag.
He took a black cloak with hood attached to hide the face.
He quickly changed into one of the clothing that he brought for disguise among the merchandises.
Furthermore he only carried the Sword Device of his Wyvern and leaped outside from the window.
He leaped on the fence from the second floor, and from there he landed safely on the street.
Different from before, there was no sign of people in the city at midnight.
Amidst the cold wind that felt cutting into the body, Lux started running toward the direction of the voice.
After sprinting for around 200 ml on the stone paving, he discovered a girl who was being harassed by a guard inside a complicated back alley.
「Noo-!? Please let me go-!」
「This annoying brat. That guy is a traitor of the country. Don’t think this will be over with only you accompanying us for a night yeah.」
Inside the darkness, the outline of that scene was gradually getting clearer.
The moment the drunk man pulled the girl’s arm further, Lux hit his shoulder with his sheathed Sword Device.
「Guouh!?」
「Over here!」
Lux pulled at the hand of the girl when the man pitched forward and collapsed and started running.
After getting out of the back alley and ran for a while, they finally arrived until in front of a main street.
He didn’t hear any footstep from behind. It seemed they managed to escape safely.
「Haa, haa……. Excuse me──who, are you?」
「Are you injured? Please take care. Then, excuse me.」
It was great and all that he moved to help the girl, but it would be scary later if he stood out more than this.
He tried to left behind the gasping girl and left before she memorized his face.
「Ah……. Ple, please wait a second!」
「No, I don’t need any tha──」
「I, I’m thankful for the save. But where is this place? We had been running quite far, so I don’t understand the path back.」
「Eh……?」
Lux was spontaneously bewildered when the girl asked him that.
Although it was midnight, there was some amount of moonlight and the lamps in the city remaining.
「Bu, but you are a citizen of the capital right? I have just arrived in this city──!?」
Lux who was about to say that noticed the secret of the girl.
He didn’t notice until now because he was absorbed in escaping, but looking closer, the girl kept casting down her eyes quietly.
「Forgive me. Just as you can see, my eyes cannot see. If I have a cane than I can more or less find my own way, but I left it at that place before──」
(Kuh……!? No good!?)
Lux finally noticed the troublesome situation he was put in.
That soldier he hit was dead drunk, so there was possibility that he fainted right away after the hit, but he couldn’t just return there brazenly while pulling the girl’s hand.
And then, although here was the main street, there was no way he could leave this blind girl behind without cane in this late at night.
With how the girl got into trouble with a guard, he also couldn’t use the method of handing her to another guard.
Furthermore because Lux rushed out in a hurry, he didn’t bring the map of the capital with him.
Lux was someone with relatively good sense of direction, but it would be difficult to search for this girl’s house in this dark night.
「Do you have any acquaintance who you can trust? Someone who you feel like you can rely on other than this city’s guard──」
There Lux tried to search for a method to at least return this girl back safely, but,
「None……, I think.」
The girl made a self-depreciating expression and hung her head down.
「I am a shamed human in this city……. That’s why, I can only go at midnight even for strolling like this──」
「What do you mean……?」
After asking that, Lux regretted it thinking that he shouldn’t inquire excessively.
But, the words that were dragged out from the girl by that casual question induced Lux’s fate to an unexpected direction.
「Because in the past, I was a military cadet Drag-Knight. At the very least, if Rosa or Calensia are staying by my side──」
「-……!?」
The moment Lux heard those two names, agitation and shudder ran through Lux’s back.
The gentle-looking blind girl tilted her head and waited for Lux’s response.
(This girl, is a former military cadet of Heiburg……!? What’s more, she has connection with Seven Dragon Paladins Rosa and her aide Calensia──)
In Lux’s mission this time, he wasn’t directly involved with those two.
Because his current objective was to infiltrate into Hieburg’s underground market and searched for the proof of their backroom deal with Dragon Marauder.
Therefore he also had a choice to not listen to this girl’s story, but Lux felt a strange fate in this encounter.
「Say, do you have any clue about your home address, like the terrain around it or the name of the street?」
「It might take some time but……, I think I can manage somehow. In the past I could see, so if I rely on my memory from that time──」
If that was the case then there was some prospect in sending the girl home.
After all if she was a former military cadet then it was possible that she was familiar with the map.
「Ah, I’m sorry! I’m being a bother am I? Even though you has only came to this city recently, and you have also saved me just now.」
The girl suddenly returned to her senses and told Lux that in panic. Lux took the hand of the girl.
「No, please let me send you home. Also, it might take a bit of time but, can you allow me to listen to your story?」
「Ye, yes. My name is Stefa Hersmice. I’m a former military cadet, and right now I’m an apprentice nurse.」
「I’m Lu──not. Rudy Eintoss, a traveling merchant. Nice to meet you.」
He told her that and started walking through the quiet city at night.
A blind girl without cane and a young man who had only came into the capital for the first time.
As expected, their pace was slow while they also had to be careful of the guards’ eyes.
Lux talked with the girl using the excess time.
「Is that so, you came to this city for a honeymoon──. Certainly, this is a place that is prospering in various things in the business aspect.」
The reason her tone sounded a bit cynical might be because she was aware of the defense industry as a former military cadet.
「Yes. I’m together with my childhood friend Phi, ……anel you see. There will be a lot of party in the New Year’s eve too, so it will also double as socializing from here on.」
Of course that was the pretext of his fabricated social position.
「Even though from your voice you sounded young, but you are hardworking aren’t you? That’s admirable.」
「No, it’s not that amazing. More importantly, just now you mentioned the name of Rosa.」
「Do you know about her? She is already the Seven Dragon Paladins of Heiburg Republic. It will be great if she is in good health but ──」
「That’s, about her……Lady Rosa, can I ask how is she being treated in Heiburg?」
「…………」
Hearing Lux’s question, the girl slightly looked down and fell quiet.
Even just from that, he could somehow guess the circumstance.
「Ah, you don’t need to force yourself to answer if you──」
「I think from the view point of other country, it must looks like that she is a really bad existence. She is an EX Class Drag-Knight, but she is a haughty and arrogant dangerous person. I heard such rumor. But……I cannot believe that.」
「You cannot believe, the rumor about Lady Rosa?」
「Yes. She was born from a noted military family, and her personality was certainly aggressive. However──if I have to say, it felt like it was just her turning her cowardice into hostility. Even when an accident happened in the mock battle against her, she was really upset.」
「Your eyes, it was because of an accident in the practice ground?」
The blind girl who introduced herself as Stefa nodded.
How should he say it, this was unexpected.
Thinking of Rosa’s current figure which was so arrogant and haughty like that, he couldn’t even imagine the Rosa that this girl talked about.
When he heard even more of her story, Calensia and Stefa were normal citizens from the street, but they had promise with their Drag-Ride aptitude and became military cadet. There they became close with Rosa.
But, Stefa’s eyes got injured and she was expulsed from the academy. Since then she didn’t really follow about what happened in the military academy.
During that time, the bad rumors about Rosa were starting to flow one after another before she knew it, and now Rosa had became an existence that was feared by the people of the capital.
At the same time, the controlling power of the military was increasing in momentum from that time, and Heiburg was rapidly becoming a country that was hard to live in.
「Regarding the reason why Lady Rosa changed completely, do you have any idea about it?」
「……I don’t know. But, right after I was expulsed, it seemed that several military cadets died from accident in mock battle though.」
It seemed that around that time, the military’s top management died and the organization structure changed, with various other events happening.
Lux was able to imagine that it must be around the time that Hayes’s involvement with Heiburg was turning active.
He also heard from Stefa that Calensia tried to investigate Hayes regarding the trend at that time.
「My cousin Calensia didn’t show any sign of changing but, I haven’t met her for a long time. I believed that Calensia would stop Rosa even if she actually did anything bad, and yet──」
「…………」
Lux was listening to her words while recalling the skill exhibition battle that was held in the campus festival a month ago.
–
『Calen. You aim at this one who is near dead. Weeell, the punishment for you is decided already though by the time you got done in by such brat twice. What’s going to happen if we lose because of your fault──. If it’s the clever you, don’t you get it already riight? It won’t be just your parents, even your little sis will be turned into slave you know?』
–
At that time, the relationship between the two had already become one sided.
Rosa was threatening, oppressing, and toying with Calensia.
If Stefa believed in the relationship of the two, then there was no way he could tell her about that.
If he acted carelessly, then even this girl might get harmed by Rosa’s whim.
「If I can meet with Calensia, then perhaps I will be able to understand something……」
Lux was unable to answer the girl’s earnest wish.
「Err……is your house around here? The bread shop and general shop──and the stone statue are nearby.」
「Ah, I mostly understand the area if we are here. Really, thank you very much.」
While they were talking like that, they finally arrived nearby the girl’s house.
She had no cane, so just in case Lux sent her off until in front of her house. Then when Lux was going to return to the inn──.
「Err, Rudy-san, you are going to stay in this city for a while aren’t you?」
Stefa hesitantly talked toward Lux who was turning around.
「That’s the plan but, is there something?」
「I’m guessing, that perhaps, you are intending to participate in the underground market that will happen soon?」
「…………」
Lux was immediately on his guard when the girl guessed exactly right.
The underground market itself was a legal market, but there was also illicit trade that handled illegal merchandise being done under its cover.
Lux disguised his identity to infiltrate there with the objective of catching such trade in the act.
「No, I’m not──」
This girl had an unexpected connection with Rosa and he asked her about her story against his better judgment, but it wouldn’t be good to be involved further with this girl.
But, if it was the military that was managing the underground market, there was no doubt that this girl also understood the situation.
And then, if he could meet the cousin of this girl, the aide of Seven Dragon Paladins, Calensia, at that time the puzzle pieces that he had on hand would be connected right away.
He would be able to approach the core of Heiburg that was increasing its strength by its connection with Dragon Marauder.
「Please! If you see Calensia in the underground market, please tell her about me! I will do anything to repay you, so please let me meet with her!」
While Lux was hesitating, Stefa spoke her heartfelt wish.
And then Lux too made his conclusion in the end of his hesitation.
–
Part 6
「Haa, it became something unthinkable.」
More than ten minutes later.
Lux somehow returned to the inn where he was staying.
In the end, Lux accepted Stefa’s request.
Although, since Calensia became seriously injured due to an incident, it seemed that she didn’t try to meet Stefa anymore.
Stefa wished Lux to find out the cause, and if possible make it so that the two could meet.
That was the wish of the blind girl Stefa.
At the skill exhibition, Calensia Hersmice looked like a serious military officer and she received unfortunate treatment from Rosa.
At the very least, she should be someone that was easier to approach than Rosa.
According to the report from Triad, it appeared that Rosa wouldn’t come back within these few days, so perhaps it would be easier to negotiate with Calensia right now.
In any case, he would need to be very careful but──, either way it was already impossible for him today.
「I’m back.」
The front door of the inn was closed, so Lux entered inside from the window that he used to get out.
When he looked at the bed after muttering with a small voice, he didn’t see Philuffy’s figure there.
(──!? Don’t tell me, she was silently kidnapped!?)
Cold sweat was trickling on Lux’s head.
She immediately grasped his Sword Device tightly and turned on the lamp alertly, it was at that moment──.
「Ei」
*Grap* Someone suddenly hugged him tightly from behind.
He thought that his heart would leap out for a moment there, but he immediately noticed the person’s identity.
「Err, Phi……chan?」
「Where, did you go?」
「That’s, are you all right!? While I’m gone──」
「…………」
He tried to turned around, but he couldn’t move because of the firm hold.
She was silent like usual, but right now her silence was scary.
「Err, I’ll tell you the circumstance but, can you let go of me for now……」
It was problematic that he couldn’t move but, other than that there was also her large breasts that were crushed on his back which caused his face to turn red.
「No, Lu-chan is in the middle of punishment after all.」
「Wai-!? What do you mean punishm──」
「Onee-chan taught me. A wife, must not forgive his husband’s night amusements.」
「You are mistaken a lot you know!? No, perhaps it’s correct in a sense but this time that’s not what happened! In the first place it’s fine to not keep the act in the place where no one is looking!?」
「I am, angry.」
After releasing Lux for the moment, Philuffy said that with a bland expression and dreamy tone that didn’t look angry for the slightest.
「Because Lu-chan acted recklessly by yourself again. Because, you left me behind.」
「Ah……」
Lux hung his head down before the girl’s pure eyes and words.
He hesitated to wake her up because of the sudden happening, but this time Philuffy was coming with Lux here by her own will.
She was accompanying him in this dangerous mission because she was determined to protect Lux.
For him to venture into danger without telling her, it was no wonder she was angry.
「Sorry, Phi-chan……. I wasn’t thinking at all.」
「Nn.」
When Lux apologized honestly, Philuffy quietly nodded.
She looked like she had no initiative, but she was actually really obstinate. But when she understood that Lux was apologizing from his heart, she wouldn’t be angry for longer than that.
(I’m also saved by this side of Phi-chan huh.)
Somehow it felt nostalgic. Lux was immersing himself in that feeling while taking off his coat and lightly wiped his body.
After confirming that the outfit he wore was all right and his body also wasn’t injured or anything, he faced Philuffy once more.
「I will tell you about the detail tomorrow. Now this time it’s for real, good night Phi-chan.」
『Yes, Lu-chan.』
She replied back to him smilingly──was how Lux thought she would respond, but Philuffy wordlessly lied down on the bed, then her hand tapped on the space beside her *pon pon*.
「Err, Phi-chan?」
「Sleep over here. If not, Lu-chan is going to sneak out as you please again.」
「Wai-!? A, as expected that is bad you know!? Lo, look, our room is separated already even in the Academy.」
Lux noticed her intention and his face blushed from getting flustered.
It wasn’t that he hated to sleep together with Philuffy by all means, but he was taking account of the physiological phenomenon of himself who was a young man of that age, but──.
「It’s fine, right now we are in a honeymoon so there is no problem. That was what Onee-chan said.」
「That person, why is she still mixing personal situation even in an important mission that is related with the country-!?」
In practice, the other Divine Drag-Ride users had their own position to consider, so only this time it was Philuffy who was suitable for this mission. He understood that.
「Lu-chan. You aren’t introspecting, about just now.
Philuffy turned her face away *puih* while keeping the blanket bared open.
He took back what he had just thought──as expected she was still angry.
From his experience, it was better to not oppose Philuffy further when she was like this.
In the end, Lux lied down beside Philuffy while asking that at the very least she wouldn’t cling to close on him.
When the lamp was turned off and he closed his eyes, Philuffy quietly grasped Lux’s hand.
The warmth and softness of that hand caused Lux’s heart to skip a beat.
「Night, Lu-chan.」
She only whispered that and closed her eyes, then she immediately began to let out sleeper’s breathing.
(Is this her way of telling me to not go off by myself anymore?)
Such will was conveyed to him through the girl’s hand that was connected to him.
(But──this also feels a bit, relieving perhaps.)
His heart was pounding slightly hard, at the same time his feeling was getting somewhat eased.
Yesterday, she had to tell Philuffy everything properly.
His acceptance of Stefa’s wish and the answer that he chose.
The accumulated fatigue stole the thought from Lux’s head.
Lux was feeling the end of the first day of infiltration while feeling concern of the well-being of Lisha and others.