Three days had already passed since Lux became Krulcifer’s “lover”.

In order to handle the “lover role” requested by her, they continued life that looked like it[1]?as they did practice together or as a pair as much as possible and had their lunch together in the dining room.

Thanks to that the initial awkwardness somehow disappeared, but.

“Still, I’m envious of Krulcifer-san.”

“But, it’s her who won the contest, so there’s no helping it.”

“Yes. It’s frustrating, but they look good together. Be it appearance or ability––”

One day after school when such voices had begun to be whispered among the female classmates.

“Today after this, I want you to go on a date with me.”

With her usual cool smile, Krulcifer said so.

And it was still in the classroom in which many classmates were still present as the lesson had just ended.

“D-Date!? Or rather, why are you expressly saying it here!?”

“........”

Being turned a cramped smile by Lisha at a corner of the classroom, Lux confusedly protested.

But, Krulcifer calmly acted flirtatiously and bent her head slightly to one side.

“It just occurred to me, so I said it –– was it bothersome?”

“I-It wasn’t, but..”

“I see, thank you. I’m glad.”

(N-No good –– I was completely sucked by her pace)

“Kuh, endure it, endure it..”

They came out to the corridor leaving Lisha who grumblingly muttering so in the classroom.

Then, at the moment when there weren’t any signs of other students, Lux began to speak.

“Um, that declaration just now, perhaps was it on purpose?”

“Of course. If we don’t properly make everyone think that it’s the “real thing”, the messenger of the Einvolk House that will come soon will find it suspicious that it’s a fake.”

“........”

To Krulcifer who smoothly declared, Lux could not say anything.

“But.. Even if you don’t go so far––”

Even if it’s said that a messenger will come from the Einvolk House, would he go as far as to doubt Krulcifer’s words and try to collect evidence?

“You will understand those circumstances right away. The date itself is true, so we shall prepare a little.”

While curtly answering Lux’s question, Krulcifer said so in front of the dormitory.

After returning to his room and preparing his outfit, he met with her in front of the school gate ten minutes later.

“First, let’s go buy clothes.”

They left the school premises and walked down the main street of the first block.

Ahead of them after walking for about 30 minutes, was the commercial area for relatively affluent customers even among the Fort Cities.

The noticeable establishments were upper class-oriented high-class hotels, restaurants, tailor’s shops, monasteries and free medical institutions.

Stately mansions built on a large site were standing in a row in a place where Lux had not come by that much for odd jobs.

The Fort City was also an important base for investigating the ruins.

There were many Drag-Knights nobles living in this city, and there were also a lot of examples of even people living in the Capital having built a secondary residence here.

Even now when the system changed after the outbreak of the coup d’état five years ago, such things remained unchanged.

But––,

“It’s really interesting.”

Krulcifer walking beside him suddenly muttered.

“Eh..?”

“It’s not that rare a cityscape, right? For you, a former Prince.”

She seemed to have said it as she saw Lux looking curiously around.

“Do you often come to such places, Krulcifer-san?”

“I rarely come.”

Krulcifer’s reply was plain.

“I see. I think that someone like Krulcifer-san is more suited for the atmosphere of such a refined town more than me––”

As Lux looked at her profile while saying such a thing,

“That isn’t the case. After all –– I hate it.”

“Eh..?”

Still looking forward, Krulcifer said clearly.

“I don’t like people such as aristocrats.”

“........”

After that, the conversation stopped for a while.

(What the hell does she mean by that..?)

Krulcifer was a daughter of an Earl of Ymir.

The reason why she, who was from a prestigious family, hated the same aristocrats.

I don’t think it’s for something as simple as antipathy to political marriages of convenience.

“––Over here.”

When Lux thought about such a thing, Krulcifer suddenly stopped.

There was a big tailor shop decorated with a beautiful signboard and carvings there.

“It’s a shop which seems to be quite expensive.”

“Really? I thought that you, former royalty, was used to such things though.”

When Krulcifer said so with a smile, Lux smiled wryly.

“Having dressed in nice clothes in the Imperial Court is a thing of the past. I don’t remember it any longer.”

“Then, it doesn’t seem to be so enjoyable for you, huh. Then, let’s finish this as soon as possible.”

Saying so, Krulcifer entered the shop first.

Lux followed after her.

“........”

After measured his body size and choosing clothes, they had the tailor fix those according to his size.

And, one hour later.

“..Wait, was the shopping for my clothes!?”

In the cityscape wrapped in dusk, Lux who came out of the shop unintentionally cried.

“Rest assured. As far as you trying them on, you looked quite good in formal clothes. As expected of a former Prince.”

Krulcifer returned so with a smile as if it was somebody else’s problem.

“Whether you like it or not––, I can’t accept such expensive stuff!”

Lux, who was bought formal clothes and shoes by Krulcifer, hurriedly declined.

They settled with the tailor that the clothes would be completed after three days, but the fees seemed to have been paid in advance.

“You do not need to mind it. It’s in the range of funds that I can use freely. It’s also not a great amount.”

“........”

Lux had just brought clothes worth the amount of money that he would’ve spent in three months during the time he was doing odd jobs, so he once gain realized that she was after all an Ojou-sama[2].

No, it might simply be that he did not just seem like a former Prince, but––

“We take the trouble to come to town, so shall we have a meal and then go back? I will pay.”

They left the high-class commercial area and came out to a large street.

Probably because of the time period when it was growing dark, there was nobody in the neighborhood and it was dusky.

“U-Um –– as expected, even I can pay..”

No matter how often he was made to go along with only Krulcifer’s plans, Lux also had his pride.

“I kind of like such manly sides on a boy. Though you usually have a face like a girl––”

“T-That has nothing to do with it, right!?”

It had been a long time since he had his appearance spoken about, so Lux’s face turned red.

At that time when the tension somewhat loosened––,

“..!? Watch out!”

At the same time as he shouted, Lux jumped towards Krulcifer and hugged her.

Immediately after, something like a whip extended at high speed and wound the empty space.

In other words, the space on the street where Krulcifer was standing until just a while ago.

A passage slightly away from the upper class area.

Lux was familiar with that weapon which extended from the shade of a vacant house.

“A wire tail..! A Drag-Knight, huh!?”

He promptly drew out his <Wyvern>’s Sword Device from his waist.

“Don’t move! If you move, I’ll shoot!”

But, almost at the same time, five Drag-Rides which appeared from the surroundings had set up Breath Guns towards Lux and Krulcifer.

The five people operating the Machine Dragons were men who wounded their heads with a cloth.

Their unfamiliar rustic impression totally harked back to thieves.

“There are five <Drakes>, huh. We were careless..”

Krulcifer seeing that raised both her hands as to surrender.

Lux also reluctantly followed it and put his sword at his feet.

“Remain like that. Don’t call any Machine Dragons. In any case, you can’t escape anymore.”

The <Drake> –– these Machine Dragons called customized general-purpose Machine Dragons, unlike the other two kinds, had unique abilities.

One of them was the power of “camouflage” they had used just now.

It erases the drive sound and light, and conceals itself by lightly projecting the scenery of the surroundings.

Therefore, they were able to nudge at Lux and Krulcifer’s opening and take the first move in downtown.

“Well then, we’ll tie you, so can you stay quiet? It’ll be uncomfortable, but I will have you endure it.”

The man at the vanguard said so within the darkness.

Is their purpose kidnapping?

They’re probably bandits aiming for Krulcifer, a daughter of an Earl.

As Lux who guessed so quietly took a deep breath,

“You’d better stop it.”

He spoke like so towards the men.

“What..?”

To Lux’s attitude which, far from begging for his life, showed no signs of being perturbed, the male thief uttered a dubious voice.

“Yes, you’re right, you’d better stop it. If you don’t want to be hurt, that is.”

Similarly, Krulcifer beside him also muttered as to follow.

“Fuhahahaha! This is why the aristocrat people are.. You don’t seem to understand reality. Well it’s fine; you guys, catch them quickly–– gugah!?”

The man in the vanguard who began speaking suddenly fell, leaning forward with his Machine Dragon and groaned.

“..Wha!?”

When the other Drag-Knights squared off, Lux led Krulcifer by the hand and began to run.

“W-Wait!?”

The remaining four <Drakes> who saw that moved in a hurry.

When they were going to chase the two people so that they won’t escape into a narrow passage,

“Errr. Will you stop?”

A huge purple Drag-Ride stood in between Lux and the men.

“What..!?”

Divine Drag-Ride <Typhon>.

It was a ground-type Drag-Ride specialized in close range combat that, although both arms weren’t equipped with weapons, overwhelmed the enemy in hand-to-hand combat with claws and fists.

“Good evening. Lu-chan”

His childhood friend who was the user of that Machine Dragon called out like so to Lux.

“Philphie.. You came after all.”

As Lux smiled wryly and replied to it,

“Hey Lux! I’m also here, you know!? Look here, too!”

Lisha wearing the <Chimeric Wyvern> had already knocked down one Drag-Knight.

“Lisha-sama!”

“Why are you two in such a place?”

“N-No.. Um, isn’t it just a coincidence? It isn’t really like we were concerned about the relation between you two and followed you or something like that..”

“Ah, I see..”

As Lux turned an indescribable face to Lisha who averted her eyes and blushed, the three Machine Dragons driven by the remaining men Machine Dragon moved simultaneously.

“There are only two enemies! Beat them and kidnap them!”

The <Drakes> respectively set up their small-sized blades and attacked <Typhon>.

But,

“Eeih.”

Contrary to the leisurely voice, a quick fist was let out by <Typhon>.

A strong arm probably twice as big as a common Drag-Ride’s.

The <Drake>’s right arm which was holding the blade that was hit with that fist was pulverized with one blow.

“W-Whaaaat..!?”

In front of the man who opened his eyes wide in surprise, <Typhon> made a somersault.

The Drag-Ride, a weapon built up with metal frame, accelerated with swift movement like a wild beast.

And, a kick of the Machine Dragon pierced through the body (of the Drake) which became defenseless as the arms were destroyed.

“Ga..aah!?”

The bandit was sent flying dozen of Mel behind and fainted in agony.

The barrier which was deployed at maximum output was also smashed and the Machine Dragon’s connection was immediately cancelled.

“Uwah..!?”

Lux seeing that strange combat style could not help but cry out.

“Is it your first time? Watching directly how she fights with her <Typhon>.”

Krulcifer who escaped into the shade of an alley with Lux asked so.

“Philphie. So you can do such things..”

Taijutsu attacks using a Drag-Ride.

Then, she caught the blade of another <Drake> with the palm of her Machine’s hand this time and crushed it in an instant. She launched a punch with the other arm almost simultaneously and smashed the armor with one blow.

Philphie who had learned martial arts seemed to be good at close combat.

That human bullet attack which made use of the weight and output had the destructive power to easily defeat a general-purpose Machine Dragon even with defense.

Such a flexible and quick carriage (movement) which made it hardly thinkable that she was wearing armor.

Lux had never seen a Drag-Knight use a roundhouse kick from martial arts.

“I-Is she a monster, this girl..!?”

The fifth bandit, whose comrades were defeated in an instant, started escaping using his <Drake>.

When the man turned his back as he escaped to the alley where it would be hard to chase him with <Typhon>’s big frame,

“<Pile Anchor>”

At the same that Philphie muttered, a thick dark gray wire was shot from the armor (shell) of <Typhon>’s both arms.

“Wha!?”

As the metal, which is at the tip of the wire that came flying bit at the opened <Drake> like the jaw of a big snake, the man was pulled back at high speed before Philphie.

“That’s––!?”

“It’s <Typhon>’s special armament. At first glance, it’s a weapon of the capture system like the wire tail, but it seems that it can be emitted from various parts of the armor and can capture an enemy within range.”

At the same time that the <Pile Anchor>, which was shot from the left arm and caught the enemy, pulled him back at high speed, <Typhon> raised its right arm.

When the forceful counterattack, that was released while drawing in the opponent, was about to burst in front of his eyes,

“H-Help––!?”

“I went a little far .. I guess?”

But, the <Drake> which had been pulled back at high speed toppled sideways by the force of inertia and crashed into the wall. ––It stopped moving.

“Hey, airhead girl. Don’t let your guard down!”

Lisha shouted while restraining the Drag-Knights whose armor was destroyed using the <Chimeric Wyvern>.

“..Huh?”

The moment when Philphie turned her gaze at the Drag-Knight that she had beaten, the man wasn’t in the <Drake>.

When she looked around, the man could be seen running down a back alley as he cancelled the connection.

Escaping after casting aside his Machine Dragon –– no.

Ahead of where the man was running away, a slender woman was standing.

“D-Don’t move! The woman there––!”

Pulling a knife from his waist, the bandit shouted.

He probably wanted to hold her hostage.

“Watch out!”

Lux unintentionally cried out, and was about to run to help her, but––

“There is no need to go help her.”

He was quietly restrained by Krulcifer with a serious look.

“Eh..?”

Meanwhile, when the bandit approached the woman and was going to thrust the knife at her chest,

“It’s really bad, eh. This country’s public order (security)––”

Soon after the woman calmly muttered, the bandit’s knife flew in midair.

“Wha..!?”

“Please do not move. Otherwise, my hand will slip.”

The bandit who fell on his backside on the spot had the tip of a long sword thrust at his throat.

Countless silver lines were running on the surface of the long sword held by the woman.

“A Sword Device..!? That person, who on earth––”

At the same time Lux that muttered, the woman with a cool-headed expression calmly raised her face.

“Long time no see. Miss”

“Eh..?”

Next to the confused Lux, Krulcifer sighed.

“She is an acquaintance of mine. The butler of the Einvolk House, Alterize McClair.”

“Then, perhaps she is––?”

“Yes, she is the Einvolk House’s attendant who came to see how I do.”

“May we change the place? This place is inappropriate to have a talk.”

The woman called Alterize calmly suggested so.

“........”

After handing over the bandits to the guard soldiers who arrived late, Lux and company followed after Alterize.

About ten minutes after they walked away from the scene.

They decide to gather in a bar a little near the academy site and to have a light talk.

Although access to bars was not allowed in school regulations, Alterize said that she would take responsibility.

Lux, Krulcifer and Alterize sat on a table for three people, and Lisha and Philphie sat on the table immediately nearby.

The latter two should originally have nothing to do with the matter, but they ended up coming together along due to the course of events.

“First of all, well. It is good above all to see you in good health, Miss. Is what I would like to say, but––”

Alterize glancing at Lux and the others, began to talk so.

The Einvolk House, a noble House of the religious country Ymir and a prestigious family which produced Drag-Knights in large number.

It seemed that she, who served as a butler, was herself an excellent Drag-Knight, and one of the strongest people called Ex-class in the country Ymir.

“There is no need for unnecessary concern just because we are in front of my classmates.”

As Krulcifer curtly said so, Alterize leaked a sigh.

“Well then, straight to the point. Please be a little more careful. Your body belongs to the Einvolk House.”

“Then, being targeted by thieves is also the fate of a prestigious family, so it can’t be helped.”

“........”

In a tone mixed with sarcasm, Krulcifer returned like so to Alterize’s words which were somewhat disagreeable.

Lisha, who saw it, muttered “What is it? Are they on bad terms?” at the table nearby.

(But certainly, I feel like it’s a little different from a normal master-servant relation..)

Lux who was watching it also had the same impression.

Be it good or bad, it felt like there was no reservation to each other.

“There‘s not much time before the curfew of the girl’s dormitory, so it will help if you make it short. The reason of you coming here is obvious anyway.”

“It is because Miss is insincere like that that I had to come here.”

To Krulcifer’s words, the woman butler returned in a strong tone.

The butler Alterize with a strict character and the somewhat elusive Krulcifer didn’t seem have that good of a relationship.

(Alterize-san’s business which Krulcifer-san says is.. after all)

While listening to their exchange, Lux recalled the circumstances until now.

Krulcifer’s mission in which she must find a fiancé during attendance at the academy.

About how he was asked to become her lover in order to deceive the attendant of the Einvolk House.

“By the way––, who is that man?”

Alterize suddenly said as she turned her gaze to Lux.

“He’s my lover. It’s great, isn’t it?”

“....!?”

The moment Krulcifer replied so, the shoulders of Lisha who was sitting nearby twitchily shook and she looked at their table.

“Your lover? That boy is..?”

Alterize asked with a dubious face.

“Yes. He may not be that familiar to you, but he is a Prince of the Old Empire, Lux Acadia. He is my classmate who commutes to the Royal Military Academy as the only male student there. Is there any problem?”

“........”

“There is a problem. Lux will from now on in various ways–– Mmm..!?”

“I-I will listen to you later, so please be quiet for now.”

Alterize suspiciously stared at Lisha, who interjected from the table nearby, and Lux who held her mouth as to calm her. And after heaving a deep sigh, she muttered.

“I see, that’s really troublesome, the truth is––”

“Well, well––, I was looked down upon, too.”

“....!?”

To the man’s voice uttered suddenly, all the people present gasped in surprise.

The man wearing a red, gorgeous overcoat with treated golden embroidery was standing behind Alterize.

A tall and thin man who let his limbs peep out from under the overcoat.

Although with his golden hair and upright face, he seems to be a handsome man of gentle manners at first glance, but his slightly hypocritical smile and sharp eyes let one feel a somewhat overbearing atmosphere.

A knight with a strong confidence –– or rather, clad in an armor of ego.

If it was someone seeing it for the first time, nine out ten people would have such an impression.

Having appeared before Lux and company was such a man.

“Lord Kreutzer!? Why are you here? I am sure that the dinner was scheduled for tomorrow, but––”

“Yes, it isn’t like I’ve forgotten. Alterize-dono.”

The man called so returned a smile to the surprised Alterize.

“I may not look like this, but I’m an annoying guy about fixed dates, you see. ––But yes, if I dare to speak about my shortcomings, I’m a little bit impatient. I want to see the girl who will become my wife in the future one step earlier.”

As he let his look crawl from her head to toes as if licking, the man satisfactorily nodded.

“Ooh. She’s really a beauty as the rumors say. I may not look like this, but I’ve showed up several times to the social parties of the Capital, but–– I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl. Your bodily build is slightly modest[3], but I look forward to your growth.”

“I am honored that you praise her.”

Replying so was Alterize.

“Alterize. Who is this person?”

As Krulcifer asked so with a cold expression,

“I see. It looks like you had not yet talk this through. Well then, I will give my name. My name is Barzeride Kreutzer.”

“....!?”

The moment when they heard the man’s words, tension ran through Lux and Lisha –– no, throughout the whole bar including the customers around.

“..Don’t tell, one of the four Great Nobles!?”

“Why is the “titleholder of the Kingdom” here––?”

As several people inside the bar realized his identity, they turned their gazes with low voices.

“You mean Kreutzer of that House?”

Alterize nodded at Krulcifer’s question.

“One of the four Great Noble Families with historical lineage which continued to this day since the Old Empire era. Particularly, it is a noble household which produces many knights and Drag-Knights from generation to generation. This gentleman is its heir.”

(If I remember correctly, the Kreutzer House is––)

Lux recalled after a little thought.

It was indeed a well-known noble House as a noble, but at the same time it was famous as the hawks of the Old Empire.

Regarding pedigree, influence and fortune, it was an outstanding House even in the New Kingdom.

But, the whole family’s way of thinking virtually inherited the Old Empire’s ideas, and Lux had not heard that many goods rumor about them from the past.

“An heir of the four Great Nobles..? Alterize, don’t tell me you––”

Krulcifer who heard this slightly knitted her brows.

“Yes. While very selfish, I went ahead with the talk to introduce Miss to Lord Kreutzer by the dinner that I had scheduled for tomorrow, and have you exchange an engagement there. But––”

“Why didn’t you inform me, the person concerned, of that?”

As Krulcifer asked in a amazed tone,

“It is because if I do not do at least this much, Miss will give a reason again and run away.”

Alterize calmly replied without being shy.

It looked like although the relation between the two girls was not good, they knew each other’s personality very well.

In short, seeing through the action of Krulcifer of avoiding the engagement by giving a reason one way or another, Alterize seemed to have scheduled to bring the fiancé she personally chose.

Thanks to that, it became quite a chaotic situation.

“I see. But, it’s really a shame. As you see, now I have a man I’m going out with. Isn’t it? Lux-kun.”

“Eh..? Ah, yes. Kind of––”

Lux became confused as the subject was brought forth by Krulcifer.

“Lux..? Ah, I see. That appearance––, so you’re a survivor of the Old Empire’s royalty. This is the first time we exchange words directly like this, eh.”

Barzeride who was quiet until then approached Lux.

After staring at his face for a while, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Hmm.. It’s a weak look hardly thinkable of someone from former royalty. As expected of a dog which was let to live by the New Kingdom’s amnesty. ––You’re really worthy to be called the Chore Prince.”

“........”

A smile and tone including contempt.

As Lux remained calm even when being shown such clear hostility,

“Alterize-dono. Is there really a need to postpone this engagement because of a man of this level?”

Barzeride added so as to incite him.

“Certainly, he is from the former royal family. In such a meaning, he may have a lot of influence in various places, but now he’s just an unsightly fallen Prince. He’s a man only living by receiving others’ leftovers. I judge that he isn’t a man worthy of the lineage of the country Ymir’s prestigious family that you serve, the Einvolk family”

“Certainly, that is––”

The moment when Alterize was pressed and was about to consent,

“Haa. Even if you claim to be from the four Great Nobles, it’s only to this degree after all.”

A girl’s dignified voice suddenly cut off the conversation.

The voice was from Lisha sitting by the nearby table.

“To think that you can’t even see through the worth of the man before you. I’m really glad for having the number of rivals decrease, but could you refrain from such a rude tone? Lord Kreutzer.”

After talking with a proud smile, Lisha scowled at the two people at last.

Though he did not seem to be overwhelmed by it, Barzeride shot back a gaze.

“If I remember correctly, you’re––”

“First Princess of the New Kingdom, Lizsharte Atismata. Lux is the man who is going to become my partner. If you dare to insult him, then I will riposte.”

After Barzeride remained silent for several seconds to Lisha’s sharp words,

“..Kukuku. Hahahahaha!”

He suddenly burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“What do we have here.. so that’s it. It looks the fallen Prince of the Old Empire is quite good at currying girls’ favors. However –– the era from here on will be one of battles/fighting. Powerful people who destroy the appearing Abysses and win against other countries in the fight for ruins are sought above all. And we, the royalty and titled nobility, must excel at the skill in operating Drag-Rides. The power as a Drag-Knight and strength as a leader are sought above else.”

Prefacing so, Barzeride once again turned his face towards Lux.

“Unfortunately, I’m on an entirely different level from this man. It’s a waste of time. Alterize-dono, I would like you to arrange the engagement as soon as possible, even tomorrow would work.”

“Yes. ––Then tomorrow night as scheduled.”

When Alterize was going to settle so,

“Could you wait for a moment?”

Holding back Lisha who was about to complain again, Krulcifer said so.

“Hou. What’s the matter? Do you want to talk with me? My future wife.”

“From here on, power as a Drag-Knight and power as a leader are above else. You said so, right?”

“Yes, the Einvolk House also thinks so. Therefore, Lord Kreutzer who is from the four Great Nobles and the “titleholder of the New Kingdom” is suitable as a fiancé––”

“Is that really so?”

As she interrupted Alterize’s words, Krulcifer revealed a smile.

“What do you mean?”

“If it’s about skill as a Drag-Knight, my lover doesn’t lose, too. Because he is the “Weakest Undefeated” famous at the New Kingdom’s tournament after all.”

“Fuhahahahaha!”

Barzeride who heard that burst into laughter once gain.

“The “Weakest Undefeated”, huh. Now that you mention it, there was also such a shameful nickname, eh. But –– my future wife. Wise as you are, you understand, right? That a coward who only defends himself can’t gain anything.”

“But, in the tournament of the Capital, it isn’t like you also -->>

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