won against him, right?”

“What..?”

“And, could you please stop that way of calling me “my future wife”? You and I are still just strangers.”

“........”

The expression of Barzeride who heard that suddenly changed into a dangerous one.

“Lord Kreutzer. Please excuse her rudeness––”

When Alterize was hurriedly going to intercede,

“I see. Isn’t the Einvolk House’s daughter quite a capable person. I like you more and more, Krulcifer.”

Distorting his mouth into an arc, Barzeride remained composed.

But, Lux knew.

That behind his expression apparently calm at first glance, a quiet anger burned.

“Well then, let’s see. How about a match between me and that fallen Prince? A duel with Drag-Rides, that is.”

“––––”

At Barzeride’s words, tension ran within the store.

“L- Lord Kreutzer, that’s––”

When Alterize uttered so in surprise,

“Certainly, it looks like you didn’t inform her of the talk of engagement. It’s your fault for not having gotten her consent on this matter. However, there is no way she would consent if you forcibly concluded an engagement here, right? After showing my ability, the marriage would go smoothly.”

Sending a gaze at Krulcifer as if asking, Barzeride said.

His intention of wanting to make this stubborn, yet smart girl yield on this occasion was transparent and visible.

“To the fight this time, there will be no “draw”, but you don’t possibly intend to run away, do you, Fallen Prince?”

“........”

Being provoked, Lux hesitated to speak.

Thinking about the future, he mustn’t stand out too much.

He understood that well.

But,

“––Understood. I’ll do it.”

After a slight hesitation, Lux nodded.

If he did not accept the duel here, the engagement between Krulcifer and Barzeride would’ve almost been decided.

He could not use <Bahamut>, but he had no choice but to do it.

“No, I cannot afford to cause Lord Kreutzer trouble..”

When Alterize could not consent and was about to interject as such,

“On this occasion, why don’t you also participate in the duel?”

Krulcifer suggested so calmly.

“..What do you mean?”

“It will not look good if I, the person concerned and you, the person in charge who approached with this matter are just spectators. We might as well make it a duel of two vs. two altogether; how is that?”

“W-What are you saying now!? Please stop with the joke! Do you think that Lord Kreutzer would ride on this––”

“It does not fit my nature to just be waiting for the result like a commodity.”

As Krulcifer said so without hesitation,

“Kukuku, I don’t mind.”

Barzeride readily consent with a fearless smile.

“Isn’t it good, Alterize-dono? A fight without grudge is the very purpose of the duel. Besides, I’m a pacifist, but there are often times when I want to go all out. After all in the tournament of the Capital, I instinctively hold back so that there are no injured”

He extended his hand to the hilt of the sheathed Sword Device and swung it with a clank.

Probably, a Divine Drag-Ride was stored in the scabbard with a showy ornament.

“It’s regrettable for tomorrow’s dinner, but we’ll cancel it. Then, let’s say the night three days later. I’ll prepare the place for the duel. On account of the work, I’m staying at the Fort City for a while. Don’t run away.”

When only saying that, Barzeride let his luxurious overcoat flutter and left the bar.

“........”

A flaccid atmosphere flowed before long and bustle return to inside the bar.

“Phew..”

As Lux whose strain loosened sighed,

“You two, do you know what you have done?”

Alterize frowned with a tone as to admonish them.

“Not only did you reject the engagement, but on top of that –– you also challenged a member of the four Great Nobles to a duel. You carried your joke too far. Lord Kreutzer possesses the Divine Drag-Ride <A?i Dahāka> and is skilled enough to be called “titleholder of the New Kingdom” in the Capital, you know?”

Barzeride boasted of the record of last year’s third rank in the tournament of the Capital.

Lux who had similarly appeared in the tournament also knew that, but––

“If it’s a Divine Drag-Ride, I also have <Fafnir>. There is no need to be so afraid, right?”

Looking at Krulcifer who showed no signs of being perturbed, Alterize anxiously held down her head.

And after several seconds, she raised her face.

“I understand. However, that person’s ability as a Drag-Knight ––and his influence is something clear even in the New Kingdom now. And it looks like I have also spoiled you too much.”

“Spoiled me? You were just afraid of touching the tumor[4], right? Same as the people in that House––”

“........”

At Krulcifer’s smile which mixed sarcasm, Alterize tightened her expression.

As she quietly stood up from her seat, she put some money tickets on the table.

“I will leave it as it is for tonight. I will show no mercy in this fight with you two.”

Saying just that, the woman dressed as a butler left the bar.

(What on earth did she mean by “the people in that House”––?)

Lux wondered whether anything happened between the Einvolk House and Krulcifer in the past.

A strange silence flowed among Lux and the others.

“It’s almost the time of curfew. Let’s already go back for today.”

To Krulcifer’s words emitted before long, Lux and company decided to go back.

“––Just a while ago, I did something bad to you, Lux-kun.”

Krulcifer muttered so as the four people were on their way back walking to the academy side by side.

At her unusually depressed voice, Lux hurried shook his head.

“No.. But more importantly, are you really fine with that?”

The mission of engagement imposed on Krulcifer.

Though he had certainly heard about it, Lux was inwardly surprised at the emotional resistance that did not seem like her who was always calm.

“I see, in other words Krulcifer didn’t want a political marriage of convenience and asked Lux to play the role of her lover, huh. Thank god.. I’m now relieved.”

Lisha stroked her chest as she felt relieved and then cocked her head in puzzlement.

“But, that butler –– was it Alterize? For a mere butler, she is impudent, or rather she was a somewhat strange fellow.”

“........”

Lux also felt it.

Even disregarding the point that it was a strict noble family, he felt like that butler and Krulcifer did not have the ordinary master/servant relation for some reason.

That it was something which was not a mere intimate or bad relationship.

“Don’t mind it. Alterize has been like that since long ago after all. That aside, you saved me by accepting the duel proposed by Lord Kreutzer.”

Krulcifer smiled and looked at Lux walking beside her.

Being stared at by her transparent, beautiful pupils, Lux’s heart could not help pounding.

“M-More importantly, is it all right? A duel with those two..”

“Although I was calm at that time, it’s really troublesome, eh. If you could use that Divine Drag-Ride, there would have been no problem, but––”

The “Black Hero” who destroyed the Old Empire five years ago.

Lux could not afford to let Barzeride and Alterize know that he was <Bahamut>’s user.

Moreover, in terms of strength the opponent this time was in no way comparable to the temporary instructors a few days ago.

On one hand, an Ex-class’s Drag-Knight prominent even in the large country Ymir of the North.

On the other hand, a Drag-Knight who was the user of the Divine Drag-Ride <A?i Dahāka> and the third rank in the tournament of the Capital.

Even if it was a pair with Krulcifer who had the Divine Drag-Ride <Fafnir>, it could be said that it would be fairly tough to fight only with a <Wyvern> against those two people as opponents.

“What, there’s no need to be afraid. Lux was able to defend with his <Wyvern> even against my <Tiamat> as the opponent. Then, other male Drag-Knights whose Machine Dragon aptitude values are low should soon be worn out if you gain time.”

“It will be good if it goes like this––”

Lux somehow guessed the meaning of Krulcifer’s words, too.

In the tournament of the Capital, the battle time is a little short and rules had been established to be advantageous to men.

There were traces of the rules established in the Old Empire era, but even if deducting it[5], it seemed that Barzeride would handle a Divine Drag-Ride without difficulty.

Therefore, now that the Old Empire was destroyed, he’s called the “titleholder of the New Kingdom” as a leading figure of the new era.

Lux did not know about <A?i Dahāka>’s Divine Raiment, except its name <Avestā >.

Moreover, it was a duel where he could not aim for a draw this time.

Fighting under such conditions, even Lux also felt somewhat uneasy.

“You don’t get angry, huh.”

As he was lost in such thoughts, Krulcifer beside him suddenly muttered so.

“Eh..?”

“Normally, you will be angry for having been dragged into such a duel. Even though you are not a real lover––”

“No.. It’s something I said myself after all.”

Honestly speaking, Even Lux didn’t know why he had decided to accept the duel at that time.

He would probably be scolded by his little sister Airi for that.

“Thank you. I will say so first for the time being.”

But, Lux did not regret anything.

Rather, he thought that he wanted to know more about Krulcifer who thanked him shyly.

“All right! Well then, let’s hurry back at once; I will strengthen Lux’s <Wyvern>. This time for sure, for the specification of attack specialization––”

“Ah, you don’t need to do that..”

As Lux returned a serious look and shook his head,

“Kuh! T-Then.., I will equipped it with a special hidden function which I had thought about since some time now––”

“You know?”

Philphie who had been tagging along in silence until now muttered with a serious look.

“If we don’t hurry, the curfew will pass.”

“Eeeeeeh!?”

They looked at each other and unintentionally cried out.

They hurriedly ran back, but in the end they did not make in time.

The early morning of the next day, the four people received the punishment of cleaning duty.

That night when Lux and company were hurrying on their way back, a meeting was held.

Sitting on the seats of a round table illuminated by a chandelier were seven men and women dressed in dress, formal clothes or military uniform.

The three people who sat down at the head of the table were Queen Raffi, the Prime Minister and the vice-commander of an army of the New Kingdom.

The remaining four people were the most prominent Dukes called the Four Great Nobles.

Family heads of prestigious families which governed the territories of the Old Empire for a long time, and held great influence and power even afterwards.

There was a big middle-aged man with a good complexion, a white bearded old man whose eyes became hollow like a skeleton, a gentleman in his prime with well-ordered features and, a long-haired man who put on a dark red overcoat with an ornament of steel.

That room where the New Kingdom’s influential persons gathered together was filled with solemn tension.

“I wonder how many years it has been since we were all summoned like this.”

The old man’s hoarse voice first broke the silence.

“Isn’t it since the New Kingdom establishment? I almost forgot your faces. After all, business is going well in my territory.”

“At any rate. Does this mean that Her Majesty the Queen needs our help?”

Ignoring the middle-aged man who responded with a joke, the man in his prime summarized.

The Queen who was asked calmly nodded and urged the Prime Minister beside her.

“It is the matter of the letter sent to you two months ago. Regarding the Heiburg Republic and its three allied countries.”

“Don’t tell it’s still the incident due to that black marketer? I heard that not only did he circulated a large quantity of Drag-Rides to the Heiburg Republic, but for some reason, he has also wholesaled suspicious devices (tools) in even this country, but––”

To the old man’s voice, the Prime Minister shook his head and answered.

“It is not about that. It is about the Ragnarok this time.”

Hearing that, the middle-aged man raised his face.

“Ragnarok, huh. I have heard about it several times from the Old Empire era, but to think it really existed.”

Ragnarok.

There are seven Abysses which concealed paranormal power of which it’s said that there exists only one for each of the ruins.

It was said that the legendary class monster whose hugeness and strength were on an entirely different level from a common Abyss erased several towns and villages in the territory eight years ago in the Old Empire era and moreover, destroyed territories of other countries and even small countries themselves.

However, because it was an event which the Old Empire’s administration had kept secret, only a restricted number of persons knew that truth even now.

“I see. So you are trying to say that on top of this, the evidence about the Ragnarok’s existence, that was said to have appeared from the ruins of our country, was collected?”

To the words of the man in his prime, the Prime Minister nodded with a bitter face.

The serious damage which one Ragnarok, released after the Old Empire wrenched the ruins open, once brought upon every place in the world. The responsibility of that was demanded to the New Kingdom several years after the Old Empire was destroyed.

On the occasion of the coup d’état five years ago, one of the government officials who fled into a foreign country spread a document of the Old Empire related to the Ragnarok, and the Heiburg Republic which took that proof had impeached the New Kingdom.

“The Heiburg Republic was originally a major power second to the Old Empire. They have a big influence in the neighboring countries now. If we reject this appeal, let alone the three allied countries, we will make enemies of the whole world, right?”

“Thus we shall discuss a counter-measure–– huh? But, wasn’t the Ragnarok’s subjugation completed seven years ago?”

“It seems that it’s temporarily petrified and is just lying dormant. According to the scout’s reports, the petrifaction of the Ragnarok which is at the Lidneth seashore has begun to melt (loosen?) gradually a few months ago. Therefore––”

“Do you want to say that they want us to engage it once again?”

“The Heiburg Republic demands of us the Ragnarok’s subjugation. However, it’s too dangerous to fight the Ragnarok, which was finally put to sleep after cooperating with other countries even in those days, with only the New Kingdom army.”

“Even if we make the small number of high level Drag-Knights strike all together, the odds of victory will probably be small. As expected, Divine Drag-Rides’ users have to lead the subjugation unit––”

When they reached that conclusion, silence rose for a while.

They understood even without any words.

That the Ragnarok’s subjugation was accompanied with a high death risk.

And that there was no suitable “Hero” which could settle it in the current New Kingdom.

“––In that case, I will send my son.”

“..Lord Kreutzer!?”

Not having uttered a single word despite being there, the man who remained silent spoke.

That man which wore the ornament of steel on his body and emitted an unusual intimidating air was named Warg Kreutzer.

“My son has a Divine Drag-Ride called <A?i Dahāka> which he obtained one year ago. He’s also skilled at handling it and has enough ability to be ranked third in the tournament of the Capital. I think that he is qualified enough to be the commanding officer, but what do you think? Your Majesty the Queen Raffi.”

Queen Raffi was cautious (looked out) to Warg Kreutzer who talked with a fearless smile.

Among the Four Great Nobles, certain black rumors did not die out about the Kreutzer House.

Dangerous rumors such as whether this great Noble who possessed a vast territory and was followed by many private soldiers was not originally scheming for a takeover of the Old Empire.

“We cannot afford to expose Her Highness Princess Lizsharte to danger. Please, leave this matter to this subordinate.”

“––Understood.”

Queen Raffi finally nodded to Warg who suggested this while exaggeratedly bowing his head.

At the same time, Warg revealed a smile as if to say that he was waiting for this time.

“However, for this important task where I’m likely to lose not only the Drag-Knights of my territory, but also my son and his Divine Drag-Ride, aside from war funds, soldiers, and Machine Dragons, I think I would also like to have a certain reward.”

“That’s––”

“It’s the full authority on the Atismata New Kingdom army. I would like you to give me the position of General on the occasion when my son Barzeride achieved the mission.”

With eyes full of ambition, Warg said so.