Volume 2 - CH 3(3/4)
Lisha ignored Barzeride’s statement and said so.
But,
“It’s all right. I will not cause you trouble with my rash actions this time. Besides –– time is precious.”
With an expression which repressed her feelings Krulcifer set up the special armament <Freezing Canon>.
And, she flew towards the Diabolos which was far away and was watching the situation.
Lux was surprised by the action of Krulcifer who was good at long-range shooting.
“Krulcifer-san!”
It was probably in order to draw away Barzeride’s attention and not let the others become involved.
Certainly, Krulcifer was the owner of an outstanding ability even among the Knight Squadron’s members, but that Diabolos was not an ordinary Abyss.
“This time for sure –– I will shoot it down.”
At the same time as she approached the Abyss, she set up the <Freezing Canon> and aimed at it.
Since she could use the Divine Raiment future foresight in offense and defense at point-blank range, Krulcifer should have the advantage.
Or at least, it should like that.
“..!? Why did <Fafnir>’s foresight––?”
The moment of opening hostilities, agitation ran through Krulcifer’s profile and she stopped moving.
Not overlooking that opening which suddenly appeared, the Diabolos spouted hellish flames.
“Guaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
“––––”
Dispelling the cold of the <Freezing Canon> shot reflexively, scorching raging flames approached Krulcifer.
“Watch out!”
Lux who rushed at once at max power thrust Krulcifer away.
“Ushaaaaaaaa!”
Although Lux did not end up being rolled into the flames, it directly received the fist of the Diabolos which drew near as it followed.
“Guh..!”
He issued a muffled groan and was knocked down on to the ground as such.
“Lux!”
As the same time that Lisha and the remaining Knight Squadron’s members shouted, they poured concentrated fire on the Diabolos.
But, that barrage of more than ten shots was all dodged with smooth flight movements.
“Kuuh..!”
When all the members over there were astonished at the enemy more formidable than expected––
“––Good grief, so my help is necessary after all.”
From Barzeride’s <A?i Dahāka> which was on the ground, a shelling of <Devil’s Glow> was released.
As if it was natural, the Diabolos dodged it with mobility which did not match its big frame –– but,
“Guaah!?”
On its chest, a halberd was sticking out as if it grew.
“..Eh?”
Lux and Krulcifer who saw it, no, all the members present were dumbfounded.
For a moment, no one had noticed that that halberd was a close-range weapon thrown by <A?i Dahāka>.
Among the Drag-Rides’ weapons, the halberd was a heavyweight class weapon. Besides the abnormality of Barzeride with <A?i Dahāka> which threw it at the speed like an arrow, the problem was the applied process.
The Abyss was in the sky with no obstacles around.
Even if Barzeride could predict that the Abyss would dodge, he shouldn’t be able to predict where it would dodge to.
It was a blow as if he foresaw the future like <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment, <Wise Blood>.
“Guru... Aaaaah!?”
Maybe because it was fatal wound which reached its core, the Diabolos suddenly stopped moving; and while its whole body went into convulsions, it began to spout blue blood.
“This game –– it’s my victory, right? Fallen Prince.”
Barzeride who saw that looked at Lux and Krulcifer and contentedly smiled.
But Lux did not care about such a thing now.
“..Why? I––”
Although ostensibly uttering calm voice as usual,
But, Krulcifer was confused to the extent that Lux had never seen before.
This was probably because the future foresight by <Fafnir>’s Divine Raiment, <Wise Blood> suddenly became impossible to use.
Moreover, the Abyss had been shot down by <A?i Dahāka> operated by that Barzeride.
The girl’s calm and perfect face had been distorted with unrest by these two unlikely events.
“Kuhahahaha! As expected, there is nobody who can match me, Lux Acadia.”
Barzeride’s shrill laughter resounded around.
He’s certainly strong.
He possessed strength outstanding enough to be called “Title Holder of the Kingdom”, Lux thought
However,
(Something doesn’t feel right––)
When Lux had his attention attracted by that sense of discomfort for a moment,
“Don’t relax yet!”
Lisha’s voice could be heard from a distant place.
“Gu, aaaaaaaaaaah..!”
The Diabolos which suffered a fatal wound, vomited blood and fainted in agony.
Its chest with a hole opened that was gaping wide suddenly swelled to more than double its size.
“..!? Leave quickly!”
The Knight Squadron’s members who saw that hurriedly shouted.
『Everyone, deploy your barrier at max power!』
Immediately after Lisha’s shout was heard through dragon voice once again,
red cracks appeared on the Abyss’s whole body and it was tinged with light.
Among the Abysses, several kinds of individuals who self-blasted had been confirmed.
When all the members took a defensive posture, Lux noticed that something was strange about Krulcifer who was beside him.
“Why doesn’t it move? My <Fafnir>––”
Next to Lux, Krulcifer’s airframe began to shake with a rattling sound.
Despite the impending danger approaching, the shield of the special armament <Auto Shield> on the contrary dropped from around <Fafnir>.
The control confusion due to the user’s exhaustion –– the rampage began.
“Krulcifer-san!?”
Immediately after, the Abyss’s body exploded with a flash.
A scorching torrent born with a roar swallowed everything along with screams.
With the blast and impact, it was impossible to breathe.
Enduring a pain as if his lungs and heart would be crushed, Lux desperately embraced the dumbfounded Krulcifer, thus becoming her shield.
Then, he lost consciousness.
The sound of rainfall could be heard.
What he recalled was the memories of more than five years ago.
A carriage which broke had rolled down the cliff along the route where a forest was close by.
Whether the ground collapsed or the wheels came out, or it slid due to rain, the cause was unknown.
Although it was said that it was cliff, it was not so high. It was just a height of about four Mel from the route above the cliff.
But, the coachman and horses had already died by the impact of the fall.
There were only two survivors; a lady dressed in a plain dress –– Lux’s mother was also bleeding from the head, but she was still breathing.
“Please! Please, help us! We are from the Imperial Family! We are the Acadia people living in the Phillend territory!”
While holding his arm broken at the time of the fall, he desperately shouted.
It was an incident of two years ago that Lux’s mother’s side family was alienated by the Imperial Family and banished from the Imperial Court.
After his mother’s father –– that is, Lux’s grandfather stated a candid advice for imperial politics, there seemed to have been a dispute there, and his grandfather was sent to prison for the crime of defamation and Lux’s family was treated coldly.
After being banished from the Imperial Court, they had been living modestly on the outskirts of the Capital, but this accident occurred when they went for an outing from the house.
“Please! We will reward you. If I don’t take her to a doctor as soon as possible, my mother will––”
A few carriages were coming and going on the route above the cliff.
The sound of rainfall was not strong. Though there was also fog, his cry for help should reach there.
But, no one responded to Lux’s voice.
“Please! Somebody! ––!?”
What came down instead of a response were stones.
Blood flowed from Lux’s forehead and half of his silver hair and face were dyed red.
Looking up ahead, despair was standing.
“Shut up! You damn kid!”
“That’s right! Do you know what you royalty and nobles have done to us!?”
“Even if we won’t help you guys who have been banished from the Imperial Court, we won’t be accused of crime! Just drop dead like that, you bastard!”
The figures of people filled with hatred and raising voices of resentment.
The day when Lux learned that reality for the first time.
All the fights began.
“Ngh.. Hum..”
Lux woke up with an anguished groan.
His body became stiff when he tried to move, due to the dull pain as if his whole body was fractured.
“..!? That’s right, everyone is––!”
Recalling about what had happen just a while ago, Lux forcibly got up.
Then––
“Eh..?”
Lux’s surrounding was covered with a grass thicket which grew in abundance, rugged big rocks, a lake which was visible from the gap in the trees and a ceiling which illuminated the ground with a soft light.
It was a mysterious place as if he lost his way in an uncivilized forest.
“Where the hell is this place..?”
“Probably –– inside the sixth ruins “Garden”.”
“Uwaaah!?”
At the voice which he suddenly heard from behind, Lux’s body shook in surprise.
When he looked back, Krulcifer wearing dress gear like Lux was standing; her Sword Device hung to the belt of her waist.
“I understand how you feel, but do not shout that much. I have not grasped the situation yet, so it is dangerous.”
“Ah, sorry..”
At her usual very calm, and composed expression, Lux was a little relieved.
She was calm now unlike the Krulcifer of a little a while ago.
“What on earth happened? If I remember correctly, the Abyss exploded and––”
“Immediately after the Garden shone, it looks like the people and things around were drawn to inside here. It’s also only a little while ago that I woke up.”
Saying so with a sigh, Krulcifer sat down beside him.
“Thanks to you protecting me, it looks like I’m all right. Thank you.”
“Ah, no. I’m glad that Krulcifer-san is safe.”
As Lux unintentionally looked, there was a bag containing tools for investigation at the place where he was sleeping.
I thought that he had lost it during the battle, but it seemed that luckily this had also been drawn to inside the ruins.
“Beside us, it seems that several members of the “Knight Squadron” were also sucked in, but other than that, I don’t know the rest of the details.”
“If I’m not mistaken, when we entered the ruins, our course of actions was already decided, right?”
Lux took out a memo of the strategy operation from his bag.
The “Garden” had a system such that the gate opened and closed by a cycle of fixed times.
There were access gates in each wall side of the six faces of the cube, and at the same time as the opening and shutting, things from outside were drawn in, and things inside were ejected.
“In case the invasion to the inside of the “Garden” succeeded, the first move is aiming for the altar in the center. Afterwards, carry out the investigation in the altar for about two hours max and then move to the gate of the inner wall after completion. Wait for the opening and closing time and return outside. It will be like this if we proceed as planned, eh.”
Krulcifer who seemed to have memorized the strategy contents confirmed as she read smoothly.
“Yes. But––, now..”
An unexpected incident had already occurred and the situation was different from the usual investigation.
It was a state of emergency where they were attacked by an unexpected Abyss and the members were also scattered.
Under the present conditions where they didn’t even know how many other members were drawn in, the Knight Squadron’s members’ safety should be top priority.
“Well then –– let’s head to the altar at the center tomorrow. Everyone should surely gather there, too.”
Krulcifer calmly muttered.
“Is your body all right, Lux-kun?”
“Y-Yes, well––. Not that, is it okay!?”
“What do you mean?”
Being asked so with a serious look, Lux hesitated.
Then, he alternately looked at the memo in his hand and Krulcifer’s face in panic.
If they were in perfect condition, it would be reasonable to proceed with the ruins investigation like this.
But, in case that there were casualties or that the members’ fatigue was profound, they should cancel the investigation and a judgment about withdrawing should be required, too.
In that case, they should camp near the gate of the inner wall from the start without going to the altar which was the center, and wait there to escape by the opening and closing of the ruins.
In other words, in this case––
“We shouldn’t overdo it. Um –– we also have that duel tomorrow night.. Even your body is tired, isn’t it, Krulcifer-san..?”
<Fafnir>’s rampage shown earlier.
The failure of Krulcifer who is always calm and composed.
What Krulcifer desired should be the cancellation of the engagement plan selfishly forced on her.
For that, preserving her strength by not overdoing it in this mission and then winning the duel against Barzeride and Alterize should be the ideal scenario.
And yet, Krulcifer was trying to forcibly defeat the Abyss a while ago.
Though Lux felt uneasy at that behavior that was too much unlike her,
“It’s all right. At that time, I was just a little tired, and I’m not injured. What about you?”
As she turned her usual calm voice and look to him, he wasn’t able to say the words he should say.
“I’m also all right, but.. ––Ah.”
While touching his body, Lux noticed,
The blade of the <Wyvern>’s Sword Device which was hanging onto his waist lost its light.
This state showed that the corresponding machine was in a “serious damage” state.
Like this, he could not even summon it let alone wearing it as armor.
<Bahamut>’s black sword was fine, but since he couldn’t use it just like that, it would probably be the last resort.
“I wonder if it is broken. It’s because you protected me, huh.”
“N-No, we were both safe, so we’re pretty lucky.”
Considering that situation, that much was helpful enough.
However –– when thinking about tomorrow’s duel, it was also a troubling problem.
“If you want, you can just wait in front of the gate without overdoing it here. I’ll go alone.”
Krulcifer said not in a sarcastic or provocative tone, but in an earnest one.
That instead stimulated Lux’s uneasiness.
“N-No––. I’ll also go! I can’t let you go alone, Krulcifer-san!”
“..Thank you.”
To Lux who expressed his strong will, Krulcifer revealed a relieved smile.
The moment when Lux’s heart skipped a bit at Krulcifer’s slightly feverish gaze,
“By the way, Lux-kun. You –– are you good at cooking outdoors?”
“Eh..?”
Krulcifer suddenly said that and looked up at the ceiling of the wild wall.
“I do not know the theory behind it, but in this “Garden”, the system seems to be such that it will become dark in conjunction with outside time. At this rate, it will be night soon.”
“E-Errr, um––”
“In the case that we are in the “Garden”, camping goods such as firewood can be procured locally. This was also written, right?”
“Ah, yes..”
To Krulcifer who had suddenly returned to her usual self, Lux did not know what to say.
“And –– the securing of drinking water is necessary, too. The points (locations) of drinkable spring water should have been sketched on the drawn map from past investigations, so can you please give it to me, too?”
“Ah, I understand that, but Krulcifer-san is..”
“I will watch over the baggage near this vicinity. I’ am counting on you, Lux-kun.”
“........”
She had asserted like so with an extremely calm face.
In a peremptory tone..
“T-Then, I’ll be right back, so be careful, too, Krulcifer-san––”
“Lux-kun, you are a man after all. How reliable.”
When she earnestly said so, he could no longer complain.
(B-But well, it somehow feels like it’s been a long time since Krulcifer-san behaves like herself.)
He was still feeling pain here and there, but since he had shown off, he could not pull back.
That’s what being a man is, Lux thought.
(I feel like I have been beautifully led around by Krulcifer-san, but..)
Lux, enduring fatigue and dull pain, collected firewood and drinking water and decided to take a rest that day.
........
There was no sun in the “Garden”.
Nonetheless, the light of the ceiling disappeared just as if the day had set, and nature and the neighborhood were wrapped in azure darkness.
They made a small bonfire at the waterside and built a simple tent stretching a cloth on the side of rocks and trees.
As they nibbled the dried meat and rye bread which were in the bag and finished their simple dinner, they were finally able to settle down.
“Speaking of which, I wonder if everyone is safe..”
Lux anxiously muttered so.
He presumed that Lisha and the others who were near had probably also been drawn inside the ruins, but he did not know.
“If there was <Drake> user we would be able to detect the position of biological reactions and Machine Dragons .Though that is also impossible in this situation.”
“Which means, we can only advance to the altar at the center. If we’re lucky, we might be able to join them there––”
“........”
As silence filled the neighborhood, Lux was thinking.
About the fact that Krulcifer did not seem to have an ordinary relation with the Einvolk House.
About the reason why she was so obsessed with this ruins investigation.
And––
“We should decide soon about the lookout and sleeping order.”
As if sliding into Lux’s thinking, Krulcifer muttered.
Fortunately, there were no ferocious carnivores inside the “Garden”, so they didn’t have to worry about being attacked by a beast.
But, there was also the possibility that an Abyss might appear in the “Garden”, so as expected they should avoid relaxing their vigilance openly.
“T-Then, I’ll look out first.”
When Lux proposed so, Krulcifer quietly nodded,
“Understood. After a little time has passed, please wake me up.”
As she lied down on the sheet which was a simple tent,
“Don’t attack me, okay?”
“I-I won’t do something like that!?”
To Krulcifer’s teasing voice, Lux unintentionally shouted.
“I see.. But just to note, you have a criminal record.”
“Like I said, that was a misunderstanding!? That I’ve broken into the bath before was because––”
“Yes, I know. Judging from how you panicked, you surely will not do anything. Well then, good night.”
“........”
As usual, he was played with.
When Krulcifer turned her back on Lux, she began to leak a sleeper’s breathing (the breathing of a person sleeping) calmly after a while.
“Ruins, huh..”
After sighing once, Lux looked up at the dark space.
An existence which should also be called the treasure warehouse of the world that brought about a tremendous development due to Drag-Rides and ancient documents.
The fight to solve its mysteries was accelerating as time passed.
It appeared to be what Fugil had said; Lux was also in possession of the golden horn which could summon the Abysses, but there was no reaction so far.
Was the key to reaching the ruins’ depths that Airi who, deciphered ancient documents, was talking about was something different?
And on the night of the next day, a duel with Barzeride was waiting.
“It would be good if nothing happens..”
Towards the ceiling of the Garden where the sky could not be seen, it looked like invisible dark clouds were hanging over.
One night passed in the “Garden” –– the next day
Lux also seemed to have fallen asleep before he was aware, and when he woke up, Krulcifer was sitting in front of the bonfire.
It looked like Lux himself was unexpectedly quite exhausted.
After he had the same meal as yesterday, they began to walk to the place called the “altar” at the center.
They did not use Machine Dragons to move because Lux’s <Wyvern> had been greatly damaged.
Though <Bahamut> and <Fafnir> were available, now when fatigue still remained, there was the need to preserve them in case of emergencies.
In this sense, it was a situation where they couldn’t let their guard down even for a moment.
“It looks like it is going to rain.”
Krulcifer who was walking in front while holding up her hand to her face said.
“It looks like it is going to rain.”
“Rain? Does it even rain in this place?”
“Based on past records, it looks like it. It seems that the structure has not yet been clarified though––. Let’s hurry.”
Krulcifer said so and accelerated her pace.
But immediately after, her slender body suddenly staggered (slanted) a bit.
“Watch out!”
When Lux hurriedly supported her body, it was tinged with a high fever.
“Krulcifer-san. Don’t tell me that’s––”
The reason why she left the physical work to Lux for last night’s camping.
If Lux’s prediction proved right, they should return as soon as possible.
“..I am all right. I also said so yesterday, right? Thank you for helping me.”
But even so, Krulcifer began to walk looking only forward.
A small amount of sweat oozed on the nape of her neck.
The inside of the “Garden” was by no means hot.
Lux was convinced that her leg was injured.
“It’s just a little twisted. It’s not a big deal.”
“As expected, shouldn’t we go back? I’ll take you until the gate of the inner wall with <Bahamut>, so if we just stay still there––”
“I am sorry.”
As she painfully cast her eyes down, Krulcifer still did not stop walking.
“I must by all means go. This is one of a few chances I have, so––”
“..I understand.”
Therefore, Lux also decided to go on.
“In return, let me walk in front.”
As he said only that, Krulcifer also nodded slightly.
For a while, the two people silently advanced.
“Hey, Krulcifer-san.”
“..What is it?”
As if to loosen the awkward atmosphere, Lux called out to her.
“Krulcifer-san, why were you looking for the “Black Hero”?”
At Lux’s question, Krulcifer remained silent for a short while.
“For the same reason that I am heading to the altar now. There is something I would like to know by all means.”
She lowered her gaze and softly muttered.
“Have you heard from anyone that my Machine Dragon aptitude value is strangely high? Normally, no matter how rash human acts, there is a limit for the continuous operation of a Drag-Ride. But––”
“But?”
“If the legend of the “Black Hero” is true, if he really annihilated the imperial army in one night, then that Drag-Knight has almost no limit. Surely just like me –– something like that.”
“........”
Unable to say anything at Krulcifer’s meaningful words, Lux continued walking.
And after about ten minutes,
“This place is, um––”
Krulcifer and Lux had finally arrived at the altar at the center.
Around a circular floor, white columns stood in a row and a silver gem placed on the central platform was tinged with a mysterious light.
A strange structure (Object) which they seemed to be familiar with and unlike any other thing.
It (Object) which was made of the same white metal as the walls of the “Garden” was the altar.
“It looks like we are the first to arrive, huh..”
Krulcifer quietly approached that jewel while looking around.
“Well then, we will wait for everyone here––”
When Lux proposed so,
『Ga, gagaga..』
A strange sound could be suddenly heard.
“....!?”
Though Lux and Krulcifer placed their hands on their Sword Devices to their waists at once,
“An Abyss.. it doesn’t look like it!? This voice is –– a person’s!?”
『Ga, gagaga..! Existence of the <key> recognized. Performing special code unlock. If there is no problem, begin the transfer.』
A voice which directly resounded within the brain like the dragon voice was suddenly audible.
“This sound!? Is it by any chance from this altar––!?”
At that moment, the pattern depicted on the floor emitted a dazzling light.
“This––!?”
They reflexively closed their eyes –– when they opened them, all the scenery had changed.
“––It looks like we were transferred to the inside.”
An inorganic corridor surrounded by bluish-white metallic plates and where innumerable rubble rolled.
It was the inside of the altar that they had heard about.
“This place, is my..”
When Lux was surprised at the unfamiliar scenery, Krulcifer moved as if she was in a hurry.
And, when she put her hand on a strange box-shaped object, a white light ran.
『Confirming key’s authentication. By level authority, removing lock to the second layer management room.』
“The object, talked..!?”
To that mysterious occurrence, Lux opened his eyes wide in surprise.
The strange voice which was emitted from the object.
Has it reacted to Krulcifer?
“So..I was right after all, huh.”
With a small sigh, Krulcifer’s hand separated from the object.
And then she slowly walked towards a shelf which was in the side of wall side of the room.
“Krulcifer-san!? That place––”
Numerous <Boxes> were placed on the shelf.
Inside the ruins, boxes which stored Machine Dragons’ parts and ancient documents –– <Box> existed.
However, because the seams were firm and couldn’t be opened, originally there should be no other method of opening it other than bringing back the entire box with a Machine Dragon, and then taking time to break it, but..
“........”
『Confirming key’s authentication. By level authority, removing lock to the second layer management room.』
Krulcifer, with a serious look, softly held up her hand to the edge of a Box and moved a finger as if softly stroking the space.
“Eh..!?”
With only that, the box, which should not open, completely opened with a small sound.
Inside of it, there were numerous general-purpose Machine Dragons’ armaments and parts, and a bunch of papers written in ancient characters.
Krulcifer looked over the pages of the ancient document as she turned them.
Each time she shook her head while saying “that’s not it..”; she walked to the doors at the back.
The metal walls lying on top of one another automatically opened by her only touching them.
Ahead of that, there was a staircase which continued further underground.
“I still don’t know. Deeper.. I should search deeper. ––!”
While muttering, the moment when she put her hand on the opened door at the back, Krulcifer’s body suddenly fell.
“Krulcifer-san!”
“Uh..”
As she shook her head in order to shake off the pain, Krulcifer tried to get up.
But, she could not get up straight.
Her body which Lux supported was tinged with a strong fever.
“So hot, don’t tell me..?”
“..I’m all right, I can still––”
『Gagaga.., pipipipi––!』
The moment when Krulcifer answered like so, vibrations ran around.
“An earthquake? No––”
『Danger. Due to vibrations, the inside collapsed. Please evacuate to a safe room.』
Soon after the voice was emitted from the object, as it said the ceiling began to crumble.
“....!”
Supporting Krulcifer who could no longer move, Lux slipped into a nearby room.
The vibrations settled and the surroundings regained its silence once again.
............
“It looks like the outside of the door has been blocked with rubble.”
Having escaped from the collapse for the time being, Lux who heaved a breath of relief muttered so.
Though the collapse was small, as expected this layer seemed to be dangerous.
That was surely the result of various predecessors breaking and digging through the building in order to get Machine Dragons and materials related to them.
Depending on the location of the ruins, there also seemed to be parts which became relatively fragile.
“L-->>