It was the morning two days later after Yoruka appeared in front of Lux and caused a disturbance.

Finally Lux and others departed to the capital for the sake of the international tournament──the All-Dragon Battle.

Using horse carriage, they passed through four checking stations for three whole days before they finally arrived there.

The royal capital Lordgalia.

After the old empire perished, it was rebuilt. Its name and also townscape were greatly changed and now it was the biggest city of the new kingdom.

The castle town, a metropolis that continued toward the enormous palace was separated into seventeen blocks, far more than Cross Field. Its population density was also high.

So that it was possible for the city to be self-sufficient, industry, agriculture, commerce──and then army’s base were scrupulously laid out, lining up with regularity that was a marvel.

Arcadia Empire that possessed several hundred years of history, all of its technology and assets were massed to build up the workings of this city, even now after five years since the empire turned into the new kingdom, it still remained as scenery.

「It has also been really long since I’m here.」

Entering the high class inn of the capital that they reserved, Lisha sat down on the sofa at the entrance and muttered so.

Perhaps because of the long travel, the other selection members entered their allotted room to take some rest it seemed.

「During the summer vacation, it seems there are also a lot of students returning back to their home in the capital(here) you know? It seems they will also come to cheer for us in the All-Dragon Battle, if you’re lucky you might cross each other in the city somewhere.」

Headmaster Relie who went out of her room stretched her back while saying that. Hearing that, Lux’s little sister who was nearby──Airi was showing a complicated expression.

「Rather than talking about that, it’s a wonder that the government people is allowing headmaster to still lead this group.」

「....Well, it was just barely. At any rate, on top of getting a scolding of a lifetime’s worth, I was also paying quiet a lot of fine. Currently I’m not behind the bar is solely thanks to my current position and money.」

「It’s not really something that can be joked about though....」

After Lux retorted at Relie who was showing a complicated smile, an awkward atmosphere flowed.

The training camp at Ries Island that was carried out two weeks ago.

There the headmaster Relie performed Ruin investigation without permission from the government in the capital in order to save her little sister Philuffy.

It seemed that her responsibility for that illegal act was questioned and there was a really intense exchange between her and the capital’s government.

But, in order to avoid mayhem that could affect the All-Dragon Battle that was approaching close, currently her punishment was put on hold.

For the time being Relie avoided jail with only stern warning given to her temporarily.

「Well, because of that I was made to transport 『that』 which was hidden in the academy to here but──, it’s relieving instead that I don’t need to manage it more than this.」

「──『That』?」

Lux reacted to Relie’s whisper.

「....Ahaha, it’s nothing. Just forget it.」

Relie said that with a flustered look along with a stiff wry smile.

Now that she mentioned it──Saina who came to the academy as a spy from Heiburg was looking for something in the academy. He heard about it from Airi, but was this about that?

「........」

But, Airi didn’t move her gaze from the book she opened. Seeing her behaving that it wasn’t any concern of her, Lux too didn’t pursue any further.

Then, Relie began to talk to varnish over the awkwardness.

「Rather than that, we’re finally in the capital, so how about everyone have fun in this city? There is also a festival that will start soon.」

「It’s the festival for the new kingdom’s nation founding anniversary isn’t it?」

When Relie muttered that, Celis who exited from the hotel room interjected lightly.

「It seemed that five years ago it was called the empire’s holy birthday festival, but right now various things has changed. Not just that name──but also the festival’s content.」

As expected from the daughter of a duke of one of the four great nobles, Celis was knowledgeable in various subjects.

「Actually I should also come along with you kids as the one leading this group, but I’m a bit tired. And so, kids who is still energetic can go for a relaxation before the tournament.」

Saying that, Relie took out a whole bundle of paper money from her wallet and put it on Lux’s hand.

「Tha, thank you very much. ──Wait, this is too much you know!? We don’t need this much!」

「My, is that so? Well, you can just return it later if there is leftover.」

As expected from the heiress of Aingram family that was a prominent conglomerate even in the new kingdom.

That sense of money was completely different from Lux who was doing odd jobs for these five years.

(Or rather, it will be dangerous instead if we are walking around carrying this much money though....)

「Come to think of it, this is my first time coming to the capital. Lux-kun, can I ask you to guide me through the city for a bit?」

While Lux was thinking of such thing, Krulcifer who arrived at the entrance asked him that.

「Ah, okay. I don’t mind though──」

When Lux was about to agree readily like that,

「Oi! Don’t decide that as you please! I also have plan to borrow Lux after this!」

Lisha cut in and the usual quarrel began.

「There are also some of you who is tired and don’t feel like going out, I’ll leave that for you to decide among yourself. But──it will be standing out if you kids are moving in group, so split yourselves into group with four people at most per group, okay?」

With Relie’s suggestion, they made groups using lottery and it was immediately decided.

One group was made of Lux, Lisha, Krulcifer, and Airi.

The other group consisted of Celis, Philuffy, Noct, and Sharis.

Tillfur who usually took initiative in going outside couldn’t participate because her condition broke down from the long travel. Saying 「Heartless people─!」 she glared resentfully at the other two Triad members.

「We will buy a lot of souvenirs for you.」

「Uuu...., don’t forget okay?」

Lux consoled his dejected classmate before sallying forth into the capital’s city.

Because the time was still afternoon, it seemed there wouldn’t be a problem if they didn’t go far away.

「....A, right right. The selection members from other country has also come it seems, so do your best to not cause any trouble before the tournament.」

Relie said that at the end. Lux and others nodded and exited the inn.

「──Then, where should we go first? The place that I want to go first is the Drag-Ride museum at the capital though.」

「As always, you don’t change at all aren’t you..... Don’t you have other interest in this rare chance that we have gone as far until the capital?」

「Muu..... Then try saying what do you want to do!? What do you know when it’s your first time here!?」

「Let’s see. First there are several tailors that are famous even in the capital nearby from here. There are many other shops too, so just looking around is also not bad. Besides, it will be a bit far but if we go to the national park, there will be a small stream there, it feels like it will be refreshing there. If you feel a little hungry, there is also a street lined up with stalls right there──the district of craftsman are making and selling things like watch accessories or special handicraft──」

「Wai, wait a second Krulcifer! Isn’t this your first time coming to the capital!?」

Lisha yelled flusteredly toward the girl who was talking continuously without pause.

「What I said just now are courses that are comparatively common when sightseeing in the capital you know? How about you also do a little investigation so that you have something to talk with the other nobles too?」

「Kuh....!? Back at you, you actually don’t need any guide right from the start right!? You vulgar girl, that was just your excuse to invite Lux!」

Lisha spontaneously yelled when she saw Krulcifer telling her like that with a cool tone.

She was inadvertently more knowledgeable than Lux who was supposedly living in the capital at the past.

「Then for now, should we leave it to Krulcifer-san?」

As expected, even Airi too didn’t seem to be that knowledgeable about the capital’s layout. In the end they had fun in the capital’s street following Krulcifer’s escort.

A few hours later.

They went around a lot more places than they expected and by this time the sun had already went down completely.

Lux and others, the four people were taking dinner in a large eatery nearby the main street.

As expected from an eating place that had existed for many years in the capital, the meal was delicious without anything to complain about. The four were reminiscing about their day but──.

「Oi oi, I beg you lad. Don’t sleep in this kind of place! Also you’re drinking too much.」

When they were thinking to leave soon, they could hear the troubled voice of the owner from the corner.

「Ain’t no one is slee─ping here..... Just shut up and bring more sake here─. Munya....」

A male was lifting up a wooden beer mug while speaking with a tone that was obviously dead drunk from anyone’s point of view.

His age was still young. The young man’s trait was his dull blonde forelock that was bristled up as though frayed, and his sanpaku eyes. (TN: Eyes with visible white between the iris and the lower eyelid)

He was wearing durable looking black shirt and trouser.

Within that simple appearance, it was only the rustic silver sword belt on his waist that was standing out.

Looking only from his looks, he looked like a rude thug, but perhaps because of his child-face that had no ill-will in it, he didn’t give that bad of an impression.

「To begin with, are you in the age that can drink alcohol huh lad? You look really young.」

「It’s oka─y. My principle is 『reckless challenge』 yeah..... Being reckless without conservativeness is what gonna open the new path──uppuh」

「You’re over your limit there!? By the way lad, you look like a traveler, but where are you come from?」

「Who care─s, just pour more drink. After all I cannot drink back home see─..... I’m told today is a rare festival in the capital yea─? Don’t be so stingy─」

「The nation founding anniversary is still two more days. ....Rather than that, you look young but do you got money on you?」

When the young man grumbled with bright red face, the owner sighed and asked.

Lisha beside Lux whispered in exasperation while watching that scene from distance.

「I thought that only nobles came to the capital, but there are also quite a lot of country bumpkin huh.」

「Your voice is loud you know, princess.」

When Krulcifer chided curtly like that, an incident occurred.

「Look here, even like this I got money y’know─. I earned a lot from my work──」

The young man took out a wallet from his trouser’s pocket. The moment he put it on the table, a middle-aged man drinking alcohol behind him stood up and moved suddenly.

「────」

Drunkenness reflexively vanished from the young man’s expression and his hand reached at his sword’s handle.

But, when the middle-aged man reached out at the wallet, the man snatched it in the blink of eye and vanished to outside the restaurant.

After a tense moment, a small commotion filled the restaurant.

「Aah-ah, he got you there lad. That kind of fellow ain’t someone you usually find in the capital, but robber who came here in this kind of time from various place y’know.」

With a complicated look, the restaurant owner told so to the young man whose wallet was stolen.

「........」

Lux who had experience doing odd jobs many times at the capital had recollection of it.

Before and after the country founding anniversary or the tournaments including All-Dragon Battle, the population of the capital that was already a lot even under normal circumstances would increase explosively.

Nobles and travelers would gather to watch the event from various places of new kingdom──or even from the foreign countries.

And then, the robbers would also gather into the capital, aiming for their wallet.

But, the capital was different from Cross Field. Although its size was vast but there was unexpectedly few hiding place there.

The streets were systematic due to the wisdom from the past in order to be able to corner hostile individual and captured them.

「....I’ll go for a bit.」

Lux pulled back his chair with a clatter and stood up.

「Oi wait, where are you going Lux!? Don’t tell me──」

When Lisha called out in surprise, Lux was rushing out of the restaurant.

「I can predict where the thief will escape in general, so everyone go back first to the inn!」

Lux only said that and then ran out without giving the girls any time to stop him.

Chasing after the man’s footsteps and presence, Lux moved from the main street into a complicated back alley.

When he arrived at the end of a gloomy alley some distance away from the bar, he found an unexpected sight there.

「Chih! Someone caught up already, but──」

The man just now who Lux thought as a mere thief summoned a Wyvern Drag-Ride and wore it.

「-....!」

Because using Drag-Ride in the capital would stand out, this was something that took Lux by surprise.

However, if the thief could escape for the moment to the sky, it would be hard to catch him when he went away from the capital.

「──Come, the symbol of power the winged dragon of crest. Obey my sword and take flight, Wyvern」

This is the first time Lux summoned Drag-Ride since he used Over Limit.

His use of Wyvern also doubled as light rehabilitation, but physically it was as though there was no problem at all.

(....I can do this!)

Lux ascertained the sensation of wearing Drag-Ride while flying in pursuit of the thief’s flying Wyvern.

The thief held his breath for an instant in order to further accelerate his Drag-Ride.

Lux didn’t overlook that opening and he lifted up his Scale Blade, it was then,

「──Oi prince, I’ll be first okay?」

A voice with a tone that had peculiar mannerism in it came. Along with it, the thief’s Wyvern in front of him was struck down.

「....!?」

There an unfamiliar Drag-Ride──a Drag-Ride with countless scale-like armor attached on it was taking stance with a Blade that was strangely curved.

(This is──!)

It was a male Divine Drag-Ride user that was rarely seen other than Lux himself.

Because female’s aptitude with Drag-Ride was far higher than male, Drag-Knight that could skillfully use Divine Drag-Ride that was difficult to control and consumed energy intensely was few in number even throughout the world, but──this young man, even in his completely drunken state, he controlled his Drag-Ride with precision and knocked down the enemy in an instant.

「Gu, gahah....a!」

The knocked down thief writhed from the impact and he didn’t look like he could take anymore action.

The blonde young man who saw that was about to deal additional attack below him.

「I’m not gonna kill you cause it’ll be troublesome, but I’ll at least take both your arms.」

The large Blade with strange curve was going to sever the thief’s arms from the elbow just as the young man proclaimed, but then──,

「....!?」

*GIIN!*

The blade was deflected along with a high-pitched metallic sound.

Lux’s Scale Blade blocked the Blade that they young man swung down.

「──Stop. This person cannot move anymore. More than this is meaningless.」

The young man’s eyes opened wide for a moment in surprise, but he soon stared at Lux with an ironic wry smile.

「That’s really na?ve, prince. That line is really unthinkable coming from the survivor of that Arcadia Empire’s imperial family that was extolled as inhuman yeah.」

Contrary to his words, the young man obediently dispelled his armor and sheathed back his Sword Device into his sword belt.

Because the thief had already fainted, Lux also dispelled his armor next after checking the surrounding vigilantly.

And then, once more Lux faced the young man confronting him still with a smile on his face.

「You know? About me──」

「You’re a bit of celebrity at the neighboring country y’know? Even a slacking guy like me know that much.」

「........」

The young man’s sharp gaze caused Lux to tense up his expression too.

Arcadia Empire reached out its hand not only within its vast territory, but also to the surrounding territorial water and island. At the time various skirmishes happened repeatedly with many countries at the surrounding.

There were still many foreign countries that held grudge against the imperial family that was the main culprit of that.

When strange silence and strained atmosphere were flowing between the two──,

「Oooi! What are you doing, Greifer!」

A bit high soprano voice resounded in the back alley the two were at.

The one who arrived was a young man that was his same age with an androgynous face.

「Aaa-aa. The troublesome guy came..... I’ll introduce him, he is my staff officer and also the one tasked wiping my ass, the great Coral-sama.」

「What stupid thing you’re saying! Just how many times I told you already not to draw your Sword Device inside the capital!?」

The young man who was called Coral yelled angrily at Greifer before turning toward Lux.

「Are you all right Lux!? You are weak right now, that’s why forcing yourself is──」

Lisha and others came running slightly behind, but they stiffened when seeing the duo facing Lux.

「What do we have here, the selection members of the new kingdom is also coming eh. Hey there.」

「You two, who are you....」

When Lisha questioned with a slightly tense voice, Greifer showed a sarcastic smile.

「Ain’t introducing from yourself the polite thing to do? But yeah certainly, I ain’t this country’s person....gofuh!」

*Bam*, Greifer pitched forward due to the strong hit from Coral on his back.

As though to replace him, the young man called Coral moved to stand before Lux and others.

「Please forgive my colleague’s rudeness. We are the selection members of Vanheim Dukedom. Nice to meet all of you.」

The young man greeted with a refined voice and gesture. Lux and others faltered for a moment.

「He is our leader, Greifer. My name is Coral. We has only arrived the other day but──forgive us for causing a ruckus.」

It seemed that different from Greifer who had a peculiar personality, this young man named Coral was really amicable.

「We don’t need to apologize here Coral. In the first place, I’m just trying to catch the thief stealing my wallet──」

「It’s forbidden to drink alcohol at our expedition destination isn’t it, Greifer? I’ll tell about this matter to the instructor later. I think that this time won’t end up with only training as your punishment, so you better prepare yourself.」

「Uwaa!? What are you gonna do if we lose the All-Dragon Battle because of this huh!? Oi Coral! Think again about it──」

Coral shut the fussing Greifer’s mouth with his hand while facing Lux and others once more.

「I’m sorry to bother you, but can I ask everyone to take care of the thief sleeping there?」

Lux took a step forward toward the awkwardly smiling Coral and replied.

「Yes. We will hand him over to the guards. Perhaps that way will be less troublesome in various things.」

「Thank you. Well then, we will have to trouble you with that.」

「Ah, the wallet..... It was falling there.」

「Ah, I’m sorry. But, we’ve been a bother to everyone, so──please, I hope everyone can have a nice dinner with this.」

Coral said that while taking out several piece of paper money from Greifer’s wallet.

「Oi! Don’t take out other’s money as you please! I didn’t say anything about giving──」

Coral ignored the protesting voice from behind him and offered the money to Lux with a smile, but,

「We didn’t do anything, so it’s fine. Rather than that, something like this happened out of nowhere, but if you could please not hate the new kingdom because of it....it will make me glad.」

Coral’s eyes instantly opened wide after hearing Lux’s words that were said with a wry smile.

「....It’s surprising.」

Coral whispered that accompanied with a small admiration.

「Eh....?」

「You are completely different from the imperial family of the old empire that I’ve been hearing.」

Coral said that with a smile. He then held out his right hand toward Lux quietly.

For a moment Lux didn’t understand his gesture, but when he understood that it was for handshake, Lux responded. Coral grasped his hand back smilingly.

His androgynous handsome look looked like a girl. Lux felt his heart throbbed slightly.

「....-!?」

Instantly, heat flickered and burned his brain, as though electricity was flowing behind his yes.

His consciousness was getting farther away, as though he was suddenly entering inside a sandstorm.

「....Is something wrong?」

「Ah, no. It’s nothing──」

Lux immediately separated his hand from Coral’s right after he spoke to him, and the pain settled down.

Lux wondered just what in the world that was just now.

「Then, let’s meet again at the All-Dragon Battle.」

Coral brought the talk to finish like that and he took away Greifer from the back alley.

Lux finally breathed out in relieve. At that moment, Lisha who had handed over the fainted thief to the guards quietly arrived in front oh him.

「Oi Lux. You were holding that guy’s hand for really long there....I’ll say this just in case, that guy just now is a man you know?」

Lisha said that to him with twitching gaze that looked doubtful.

「I, I know that. That much is──」

「It’s unexpected that Lux-kun has interest in that direction. It’s no wonder that your reaction is weak against my advance.」

「Wai-!? Even Krulcifer-san, just what are you saying!?」

「You’re panicking like that make it even more suspicious. Well, putting aside the joke──they are formidable enemy aren’t they?」

Airi concluded like that while taking a final shot at Lux while she was at it.

Lux was also in agreement regarding that.

「Especially that one who was called Greifer, if I remember correctly he is the candidate for 『Seven Dragon Paladin』 of Vanheim Dukedom.」

「....Seven Dragon Paladin?」

「That kind of talk was suddenly announced while Lux-kun was forced to bed.」

When Lux tilted his head in puzzlement hearing those unfamiliar words, Krulcifer quietly taught him what it was about.

「The talk is about forming an organization where every country is cooperating to oppose the threat of Abyss that is increasing every year. About the Seven Dragon Paladin, they are the Drag-Knights where each country will select one person as their representation in that organization.」

After hearing the further detail from Airi, it seemed that there was still time until the Seven Dragon Paladin was selected, but there were already several countries that put out their candidate’s name.

「That guy’s personality is a bit like that but, he looks troublesome huh. ....Rather than that let’s go back, I’m sleepy.」

「You’re right.」

Lisha yawned ‘fua’ with a cute gesture. Lux smiled wryly to that and nodded in agreement.

After that they went back straight to the inn without stopping anywhere and retired to bed.

At the territorial waters slight distance away from the new kingdom.

At that place that had a lot of reef and even fishing boat couldn’t approach, a huge building was hidden within the cover of fog.

Inside──countless metal objects were lining up in a spacious space. Several silhouettes were there.

One was a silver haired girl wearing jet black robe──Hayes.

A blue haired maid was standing at her side, Mishis.

The last was a tall and slender man looking at everything with a distant look, Fugil.

「The entire plan is progressing favorably, but can I ask you to rethink it again, your highness Hayes?」

「....What is?」

When the maid called Mishis addressed her, Hayes responded while still lying prostrated on the round table at the center.

「Certainly its necessary to offer your blood and mind to control the Artifact(Transforming Weapon), but as I thought it’s too reckless. Even if bring them down thoroughly until the root, but if your life is──」

「So what?」

When Hayes responded with a displeased look, Fugil who was standing while leaning on the wall until now walked toward the table at the center.

「She is merely worrying about your highness the imperial princess. At the previous battle, our greatest pawn that is necessary for the 『imperial capital recapture plan』──the Yggdrasil was defeated. Of course, if we invest our whole war potential, it’ll be possible to defeat them even then. But, your highness will be forced to lose a lot of your time as the compensation of that.」

「....Oi Fugil. When your parent’s enemy die from sickness, can you then laughed it off and get happy with that?」

「Unfortunately, I’m someone without a single relative.」

Fugil smoothly answered Hayes’s question that was mixed with irritation inside.

But, Hayes ignored that and showed a distorted wicked smile on her lips.

「A low-life like you won’t get it, but if it’s me that’s impossible. What you call revenge has worth only if you do it by your own hand and nobody else. Hiring a hit man to do it? Waiting for chance until he is killed by someone? ──That’s not it, something like that has no value at all. If I don’t drag out those guys in front of me by these hands and kill them myself, then it ain’t got any meaning at all!」

Hayes’s asymmetrically colored eyes snapped wide open and she yelled.

「That’s──」

「Stop there, don’t give me any pointless talk. It’s a story you cannot possibly understand. For the lowest and worst traitor who cut down all those bunches who can even be called as your blood relative──」

「........」

Fugil returned a fearless smile at the words that Hayes spat out.

「....Get it? I won’t borrow your hand in my revenge. You just work like slave until you die like usual for the sake of our empire, that’s the only compassion that can be given to you who is of that family.」

「By your will. Without any doubt, I am an ally of all of you.」

Hayes scowled seeing the humble Fugil.

Almost at the same time, the metallic door at the back automatically opened and a girl came in.

It was a girl with ears that looked like bird feather, wearing an unfamiliar outfit.

「The Artifact’s activation as well as the tuning of the Divine Drag-Ride is completed, my lord(creator).」

The girl informed with no pause between her words and robotic voice that didn’t contain emotion.

「──Can it work? Gear Leader El Fajura. That’s including the two original special functions that you have.」

「It’s possible to execute as planned.」

After the girl called El Fajura nodded, Hayes’s lips crooked into a smile and she stood up.

「I see, then we’re moving. In order to accomplish our longstanding desire and retake that.」

Hayes reached her hand toward the small half-sphere object at the middle of the round table.

Instantly that half-sphere was tinged with faint light. Lines of light were circulating along the floor and wall like spider web that was spreading from the center.

Right after that, the wall itself fiercely shook and the exterior started moving on the whole.

On the other side, the capital at night.

After Lux and co returned to the high class hotel they reserved, the reunited selection members and Airi were called by Relie and everyone gathered at the entrance.

Perhaps because she had received a lot of souvenir, or perhaps because she had rested properly, Tillfur had recovered her liveliness. That was something good but──.

「Then without delay, let’s have Lux-kun announce who is the girls who has worked hard at the training camp the other day and will receive the prize.」

「──Eh!?」

The very first sentence that Relie spoke out caused Lux’s mouth to drop wide open without closing.

It seemed that it was also unexpected for the ot-->>

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