–

And then the next morning.

After waking up Lux washed his face and headed to the dining hall. There Headmaster Relie was waiting.

He was told that she wanted to stop doing Academy chores for a while and focused in helping with the holy night festival.

By the way it seemed that the Academy put much effort into the festival, from outfits to be used as costume, until things like material transport and construction using Drag-Ride where the citizens would file a complaint if they found out about it.

In the end was this Academy really alright?

Lux who was anxious about the defense aspect of the Academy asked Relie whether there was anything that he should do, but what came back to him along with a smile was the next sentence.

『If it’s about insuring the evacuation route of the citizens as well as the strengthening of the monitoring in the area around the rampart, we have already cooperated with the mayor since a long time ago. You see, this kind of things will be too late already if you need to suddenly worry about it.』

That might be a sound argument.

Since the danger of Ruins was increasing, the defense in Cross Field was also increased starting from a few months ago. In the first place any hasty effort would bound to fail against that Moon and two Ragnarok.

It would also be troubling if the current war situation was known and the people panicked, so this was the best they could do right now.

By the way, soon the members of Seven Dragon Paladins would be sent to the Academy from each country in turn one by one.

The remaining Ruins hadn’t been liberated, so reinforcement would be sent every few days to the new kingdom and Ymir Theocracy that had large chance to be targeted. In the case of the new kingdom, the place that was used as the base was Cross Field.

「Oops, more importantly, I have to check the condition of everyone else──」

After parting with Relie, Lux recalled his own task.

Just when he thought there was something out of place, right now because of the so called mysterious 『pact』, Lisha and others wouldn’t call out to him until the holy night festival except when it was an emergency.

(Usually it was always noisy, so this feels lonely as expected.)

There were times when it was troubling that he was surrounded by too many people, but Lux reconfirmed once more that it was fun even then.

Because Krulcifer was also an aide in Ymir Theocracy that was similarly in danger like the new kingdom, she would only return to the Academy from the afternoon today.

Then the available choices were to check on Lisha, Philuffy, or Airi.

For now he was thinking to visit on Lisha who was highly likely to be at the Drag-Ride’s atelier, it was at that timing──the female students at the courtyard called out to him.

「Heey, Lux-kun. Can you do something about that?」

「Yep. She is your fellow Seven Dragon Paladins right?」

「Err──, ah....」

Lux who saw that way became speechless seeing the bench over there.

A person with unique look that was like a mix of merchant and alchemist outfit.

That person was a petite girl with distinctive orange hair that was styled into circle shape and mature smile.

The owner of the great conglomerate that managed the biggest company in the world, and a Drag-Knight who was the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins, Magialca Zen Vanfrick was there.

Different from the vice captain Singlen, she wasn’t hostile against Lux, but she was a difficult girl in a different sense.

「Wait, what are you doing here Captain Magialca?」

「Oh, you are an impolite guy despite being a former prince aren’t you? Even though I showed myself in the Academy with great trouble, how about you pour me drink?」

She was coming on him, which was as expected in a sense.

Or rather, looking closer she was drinking alcohol from the afternoon and got drunk.

Guessing from the rich fragrance overflowing from the glass, she must be drinking really expensive and old wine.

「You are asking me what I am doing? What an abrupt greeting. The treatment of Rosa Granhide who you beat up black and blue was finished, so I came here to give the permission for treating your woman, and yet this is what I got.」

「Yes....?」

Lux tilted his head toward Magialca’s statement that was quite incomprehensible.

Then, Magialca whose cheeks reddened from her drunken state brought her body closer toward Lux slowly.

「Wai-, what are you doing!?」

「Nn. You are free anyway, so I’m thinking to test your body. If you don’t like it then try to slip away from me.」

「Kuh....!」

In fact, even when drunk she locked his arm precisely and he was unable to move.

There was also the fact that she was Philuffy’s master and an expert of martial art. He wasn’t her match unarmed.

In addition Magialca empty hand was intentionally caressing Lux’s chest and stomach. His skin shuddered with itchy sensation.

「My, even Lux-san cannot win──」

「What should we do!? Should we call the Triad!?」

「Aa! What a thing! But, if we leave from here, we might overlook various things──」

On the other hand, the female students who called him here were saying such thing from afar.

「Wait, everyone from before are hiding while watching this way!」

When Lux was in despair at the female students who turned into curious onlookers, a single girl suddenly approached this way from the opposite direction with brisk pace.

「Eh? Phi-chan?」

「Lu-chan. Long time.」

His childhood friend greeted him with happy emotion faintly oozing out even within her expressionless face.

Her soft pink hair, and her voluptuous chests that were obvious to see even from above the uniform.

Her face that vaguely had trace of childishness remaining in it. She stood up in front of Lux and Magialca.

But, due to the battles when they infiltrated inside Heiburg Republic and near the Babel previously.

Her body was burdened too much due to the deadly battle against the King of Vices Calensia Hersmice, so she should be recuperating for a while, but.

「No wait, Phi-chan. There is also your body to consider, but is it okay for you to come toward me?」

It seemed that the girls right now were deciding to not come into contact with Lux from their own end because of the so called pact, with the exception when it was a battle or special situation, but──.

「It’s fine. Saving Lu-chan is my job.」

「Ah, I see....」

Philuffy was saying that she was volunteering to guard Lux.

In other words this situation seemed to be a special expeption to save Lux from Magialca.

「What’s this, good grief, even though I’m thinking that I can enjoy a good man after so long. Can’t be helped, I will yield this time to my disciple and go drinking outside.」

Magialca said that and stood up from the bench and let go of Lux.

But, when she was going to separate from him, she quickly whispered with a small voice into his ear.

「Leave your schedule open for the night, it feels like there will be a chance to call for you.」

「-....!?」

Those words surely were said not as individual but as the captain of Seven Dragon Paladins.

Magialca showed him a grin that was filled with implication before she left.

「Lu-chan. You alright?」

「Ah, yep. I’m fine.」

「Then, come over here. I want you to help out, with the outfit for the costume party.」

Like that, he responded to Philuffy’s invitation and went to look at how the preparation of the holy night festival was going.

Somehow it felt like he was completely called out by Philuffy but──was this fine?

–

「Captain Sharis, is that acceptable?」

「....Well, just barely. It’s a fact that she saved Lux-kun from a predicament, that need to be taken into consideration. Either way Lux-kun also hadn’t gone to meet her anyway.」

「Yes. Then I’ll count that as a visit from Lux-san.」

–

「........」

Lux was feeling exasperated at the Triad who were whispering secretly behind cover while heading toward the school building’s special area.

There, the headmaster Relie welcomed him with a smile and let him entered inside the parlor.

There was sweet smell drifting from the kitchen at the side where sweets seemed to be baked.

Amidst that, he talked casually with Relie about the trend of the situation in Cross Field.

「Even like this I am entrusted with this Academy. I’m continuously having meeting with the mayor and officials of the capital you know? There is no doubt that the upper echelons of the new kingdom are really nervous.」

「Is that so, as I thought──no wait, what’s with that appearance!?」

「Of course, this is the rehearsal for the costume tournament. I am also participating. In any case, don’t you think it really suit me?」

Relie was putting on a witch hat and completely black costume on the sofa.

The chest area had deep cut applied, giving her bewitching charm that was really like a witch.

Beside her was Philuffy wearing rabbit ears hair band while snacking sweets.

There was a ribbon on her chest while black cloth was clinging tightly on her body like pilot suit. Her back and legs were boldly exposed.

It was suggestive, but at the same time the outfit also emphasized cuteness which really suited her.

Coupled with the presence of her big breasts which was her trait, Lux was troubled of where to look.

「No wait, even the headmaster, just what are you thinking!? As expected that appearance is a problem isn──」

「My? You are not only interested to the little sister, but even to the big sister too? Geez Lux-kun, you are a no good kid aren’t you. Eh eh.」

Relie poked on Lux’s back with a smile that was completely getting carried away.

While the troubled Lux stiffened, the rabbit eared Philuffy poured him herb tea from the side.

「Onee-chan. It looks like she get a bit of stress piled up, so endure it.」

「Isn’t that right....」

Lux smiled wryly surrounded by the sisters of Aingram conglomerate.

Sweets with fresh cream that had fruits mixed in, cookie with herb kneaded in, the hap of Philuffy’s special pancake, and so on.Lux was eating the trial sweets that would be distributed in the holy night festival while spending peaceful time with Philuffy and Relie.

Lux was treated as guest and sat down on the sofa of the parlor. Then he suddenly saw the back of Philuffy who was brewing replacement tea.

「My, Lux-kun. Where are you looking at? Well, Phi is too cute so it can’t be helped.」

「Relie-san. Are you drunk already....? Tha, that’s not it, I’m just thinking that Philuffy’s body is beautiful──. There is not even any trace of wound or after effect.」

Certainly Philuffy’s tight and white back was charming, but that wasn’t what Lux was feeling concerned about.

In the deadly battle in Heiburg Republic, Philuffy said that the remaining power of Yggdrasil’s seed in her body was released.

She reinforced her body using a part of Yggdrasil that possessed the power of 『reinforcement』.

She even used a drastic move that applied it even to the Divine Drag-Ride Typhon she was wearing.

Lux thought that she would be unable to return to battle for a while due to its aftereffect, but──.

「That’s right──. We didn’t tell Lux-kun but, Philuffy was treated a little while ago.」

「Treated....? You say?」

Was a treatment to heal the backlash from Abyss transformation existed in this world?

「Do you remember about Ries Island? Kirihime Yoruka was imprisoned in the nearby solitary island. The hibernation pod she was sleeping in and the facility were something created from Ruin. What’s more──with those ancient technology it’s possible to sleep without aging and even applying the surgery called Baptism.」

「........」

「Since she sided with us, using her testimony, I estimated the location and brought what I discovered back to the Academy. Of course this time I asked for permission from the new kingdom. And then after comparing and deciphering them with the material that Krulcifer-san brought, we activated the medical treatment system.」

「Since when, such thing──」

Just now, Magialca mentioned about Rosa’s treatment, was it about this?

Indeed, it wasn’t a good plan to let the combat force of Seven Dragon Paladins to sleep with the threat of the remaining two Ragnarok.

The system was used on Philuffy and Rosa, then it seemed Yoruka’s turn would be next, but it appeared that the reuse of the hibernation pod took time, so it was in the middle of waiting.

If it went well, Yoruka would also get healed in a few more weeks and then she would be able to fight again.

「Phi’s body that was transplanted with Abyss could be healed to some degree using that. But, in the end it’s only the burden in the surface. But if, a healing device that is far more excellent than that pod is lying inside Avalon then──」

「Then it might be possible to perfectly heal even Philuffy’s body!?」

Lux bit at Relie’s words with a loud voice.

Because if Yggdrasil’s seed that was taking root in the heart could be removed, that would be like something from a dream.

「I don’t know, But perhaps, it’s impossible to cure this completely. After all a part of Phi’s body already share the same function. But, perhaps it will be possible to remove the majority of bad influence of Abyss body part and the interference to the mind.? She might be able to return to a body that is almost no different from human in reality without getting influenced by horn flute anymore──」

「I’m back.」

「-....!?」

Philuffy who arrived bringing another helping of tea put a tray with cups on it on the table.

After that, she sat beside Lux and looked up at her big sister with a dissatisfied expression.

「I hate, Onee-chan.」

「Eh....!?」

Philuffy told that with her usual bland tone and absentminded expression.

Relie who saw that went pale and made excuse.

「Yo, you misunderstand Phi, this is, you see, I was only talking about possibility──」

「You promised, to not tell that to Lu-chan.」

「....Err, Phi?」

*Puih*, Philuffy looked aside still with her blank face. Seeing that, Relie was sweating from her forehead and fell silent.

「Tha, that, then Onee-chan has work to do, so let’s break up for now....」

Like that she was showing an expression of despair while leaving the room.

Because Philuffy was stubborn despite her appearance, she must have guessed that anything she did would be pointless when it had become like this.

(Or rather, is it okay for the headmaster to leave the headmaster office....?)

Lux couldn’t help but felt pity seeing that figure leaving with sunken shoulders while still wearing witch costume.

「....I brought, more tea.」

「Ah, right....thank you.」

When Lux returned to his senses, Philuffy was giving him another helping of tea.

But, a few seconds later, Lux asked the thing that bothered him.

「That, can I ask what made you angry to Relie-san just now?」

「........」

Philuffy was staying silent beside Lux in her rabbit costume with its high exposure rate.

「It’s not like, I’m feeling it’s painful or anything, you know?」

His childhood friend answered like usual with her own pace, expressionless face, and pure golden pupils.

「Abyss is mixed inside my body, but I’m all right. I don’t want Lu-chan to meet even more danger than this. I’ll be many times happier, from being able to stay together.」

「........」

This time it was Lux’s turn to be speechless from Philuffy’s words.

‘I see.’ He thought, he noticed the meaning of her exchange with Relie just now a bit late.

Relie didn’t say it directly but, she wanted Lux to pursue the possibility that Philuffy would be able to return to normal using the ancient technology of Avalon.

If he obtained great achievement as Seven Dragon Paladins, the reward from the Lords would also increase.

The benefit of that ancient technology and legacy could be obtained through the new kingdom, but if he could also become the central figure in the effort to reach Avalon, the right to be able to obtain reward would increase.

Relie didn’t speak it clearly, but she was convinced that if she talked about it, then Lux would do his best to make it happen.

But──Philuffy didn’t want Lux to do reckless thing in order to save her.

Previously, he tried to save Yoruka and almost lost his life.

She must be telling Relie to not tell Lux about this matter so that he wouldn’t brave danger.

That was why, Philuffy was angry at Relie who was telling Lux about that while she was away from her seat.

「........」

He understood Philuffy’s feeling.

He also understood the feeling of her who was always staying close to him and supporting him.

However──.

「Phi-chan, make up with Relie-san later okay?」

Lux smiled quietly while saying that.

「Because, I’m happy being told that there might be a way that can heal Phi-chan’s body.」

「........This is wh, I don’t want Lu-chan to know.」

Philuffy puffed up the cheeks of her expressionless face looking somewhat displeased.

「But, Phi-chan don’t need to be bothered about it. Because, I’m happy that it’s still possible for Phi-chan’s body to get better. I can think that it’s great I became Seven Dragon Paladins just from thinking that.」

When Lux made a smile saying that, beside him Philuffy softly pulled Lux’s body closer.

She embraced Lux with a very natural but gentle movement.

「Lu-chan, hasn’t changed.」

A voice that was fluffy like sweets tickled Lux’s ear.

The sensation of breasts that were sweetly pressed on him caused his heart to beat fast.

But even that emotion was painted over his feeling toward her that was filling his heart to the brim.

「Then, I will also fight again. This time for sure, so Lu-chan won’t be too reckless.」

「Yes. Let’s do our best together, Phi-chan.」

Even if it would be dangerous, he wanted her at his side. Lux’s feeling when he gave her the sword belt of Sword Device didn’t change even now.

They treated each other as the foremost, and for the sake of the other they would even force themselves. From the beginning they didn’t even think that they were forcing themselves.

They were fellow similar people in that aspect.

Lux’s heart was healed just by being at her side like this just like when they were children.

It was mysterious that he didn’t notice until now──no, actually he had noticed since the past.

That he was harboring an emotion that was more than simply being childhood friend or friend toward her.

The existence who saved him from solitude, the girl who became his first friend.

Him being a criminal of the old empire, and the feeling of indebtedness of being unable to save her caused him to keep down that feeling all this time, that was all.

(If I don’t decide before the battle against Sacred Eclipse is finished....)

If Philuffy’s body could be healed by the technology of Avalon.

If that feeling of indebtedness disappeared from Lux’s heart.

At that time──.

「....Then, Phi-chan. Let’s meet again at the holy night festival.」

After spending nostalgic time for a while, Lux parted from Philuffy and exited the headmaster room.

After telling Relie who was unsteadily wandering outside the room that Philuffy wasn’t angry anymore, she returned inside while dancing boisterously.

「Even so, hibernation pod in the island where Yoruka was sleeping huh..... Based on the situation perhaps at first it was brought out from the Ark.」

It was Relie’s achievement of bringing that Ruin’s facility until the Academy, but a certain person should be involved with it to uplift it until a level where it was possible to be used.

Next he would head to where Krulcifer was at the afternoon in order to say his thanks about it.

The place was at the underground room of the Drag-Ride hangar.

He went to that place that was originally forbidden to enter.

–

When he opened the door using the key he received from Headmaster Relie, a beautiful woman who was like a fairy turned around.

「What a shame. Even though Lux-kun finally visited me, we have to talk while standing in a place without elegance like this.」

The one who said that with a smile while brushing up her blue hair was the daughter of a count from Ymir Theocracy, Krulcifer.

Right beside her was a metal box that was making working sound *gogon....*──the hibernation pod was shining.

From Lux’s point of view, it was a huge coffin that was put diagonally.

The lid part was made from transparent glass so people outside could grasp the healing progress that was being done inside.

When Lux was injected with Elixir from Sacred Eclipse, he felt like there was something similar like this within the scene he witnessed.

「Thank you Krulcifer-san. For making it possible to use this.」

「Half of it is thanks to your little sister you know? She helped a lot with the deciphering of the method to use the simple parts, though the rough deciphering was done in the Hall.」

「I see.」

Lux nodded in comprehension.

Krulcifer’s homeland, Ymir Theocracy.

Inside the fourth Ruin, Hall that existed there was an archive. She searched for the manual of how to use hibernation pod there and translated it.

Krulcifer was a Key’s Supervisor, and she was able to perform that feat by ordering the Ruin’s Gear Leader, Ney Louches, but at the surface it was made to look like Airi was the one who deciphered the manual.

The matter of hibernation pod’s discovery and its usability was also reported to the world alliance, Seven Dragon Paladins, and also the Lords, but the detail of the process was concealed.

Due to the tense situation with Soffice who was managing the seventh Ruin, Moon, if it was exposed that Krulcifer was secretly contacting Ney, then they wouldn’t know what kind of trouble it would bring.

And then now that Philuffy’s treatment was over, Heiburg’s representative, Rosa Granhide was entering the pod for the sake of the coming battle but──,

「Can I ask you to not stare so hard to her nakedness? I have known already that Lux-kun is a boy without integrity though.」

「Yo, you’re wrong, I’m not! That’s, I wasn’t looking because of such thought──!?」

Lux averted his eyes in panic after Krulcifer’s mischievous whisper.

「Is that really true? Somehow it looks like the way you look at us recently has also changed after all.」

「........」

He couldn’t deny that.

Or rather, one reason of that was also because of the strong approach of the girls so he wanted to object, but it felt like he would be teased even more if he did that so he stopped.

There was no way Lux could win against Krulcifer in the exchange between man and woman.

「Then, let’s leave the control of this place and go outside.」

「Is that alright?」

「Yes, they also came here for that, and this is a visit from you that is rare to come by, so it will be a waste to end it with only a talk inside this kind of underground.」

「They?」

「Your vigilance is insufficient there. Because it’s you Lux-kun, I thought you have noticed already but──」

「Ah....」

Lux recalled something and turned around, at that moment sound came from outside the room.

(As I thought, it’s the Triad....)

Even while feeling half astonished, Lux thought that they would surely monitored this place while he and Krulcifer were away.

After they got out of the underground of the hangar following Krulcifer’s recommendation, they set out to the city by making use of the after school time.

–

「Somehow, it feels like it has been really long since the last time we are walking in the city slowly like this.」

Lux along with Krulcifer watched the townscape wearing coat above their uniform.

The fortress city with cross shape, Cross Field.

The first block was located in the center of it.

Even though he had walked here several times at his chore livelihood period, now it felt like it was different somewhere.

Was it because there were only two months left until the estimated world destruction?

Or perhaps, it was because for a while he was going around foreign countries and fought continuously?

The townscape that should be familiar to him felt really nostalgic.

「The new kingdom is warm even though it’s also winter. It helps that we don’t need to wear thick clothes.」

Krulcifer wrapped a scarf around her neck while talking with earnest tone.

Because she was coming and going from new kingdom to Ymir Theocracy every week, she clearly understood the difference in weather between the two countries.

As expected, even with Fafnir that possessed top class mobility, it took time to come and go between countries even if it was less than a day.

Even Krulcifer who possessed overwhelmingly high Drag-Ride aptitude couldn’t hold out if she didn’t take rest.

But even with that much trouble, Krulcifer said that she was glad she became Mel’s aide in Ymir Theocracy.

「As expected, Krulcifer-san understand the difference well isn’t it? Like the air of Ymir Theocracy or something.」

「I guess. Until now I have never thought of such thing, but since I became closer with those people──being able to open my heart to my family, and becoming friend with Mel, with my butler Alterize, and also with the Automaton Ney Louches, I understood really well.」

She paused her words for a moment, and turned a smile that seemed warm toward Lux.

「I understood that Ymir Theocracy, the house of Einfolk, they are my birthplace. I can feel that every time I fought, crossed the point between life and death, and returned alive. If I kept living under the impression that I am shunned by my family, surely──I won’t be able to feel like this.」

「I’m glad. It’s great that Krulcifer-san can say that now.」

Lux showed a relieved smile at her words.

Then, Krulcifer smiled bewitchingly and brought her cheek closer to him.

「Why are you talking like it is someone else’s matter like that? All of this is also thanks to your cooperation right? You know, every time I return home Alterize is always noisy. She kept asking──『Actually how much you have progressed with him』.」

「That’s because Krulcifer-san deceived everyone right!?」

Lux retorted in panic at Krulcifer’s whisper that sounded like she was really enjoying it.

However, now after some time had passed since then, he understood the meaning of her words.

He understood that those weren’t words that were simply a cover up for the search of fiancée.

He understood that it was the wish of none other than Krulcifer herself.

「I guess you’re right. Hoewver for the time being there won’t be any progress in that front until two more months──until Sacred Eclipse is defeated. It’s unfortunate, but after all it was me who first brought up about the pact to those girls.」

「The Triad also mentioned it but, what is that pact about?」

「──It’s a secret. There are things that I cannot say even to you my benefactor. I made a promise with everyone else.」

How should he say it, he thought that Krulcifer was like always.

She was always teasing and leading Lux by the nose in different form than the airheaded Philuffy.

But, mysteriously this ticklish rapport of his with her felt pleasant.

「That’s why, right now I’m still going easy on you. But when the time come, I’ll get serious on you again.」

「That feels scary somehow, Krulcifer-san.」

Lux was trickling cold sweat at Krulcifer’s smile that was filled with implication somewhere.

While he was walking on the street with a conflicted expression, a female shopkeeper with wide girth suddenly called out to him.

「Oh, isn’t this Lux? What are you doing? You neglected guarding the princess and going on a date instead, even you cannot be underestimated eh.」

「Ah...., long time no see, missus.」

It was an auntie of a restaurant that also helped with the stocking up in the period of holy night festival.

Since Lux entered the Academy after chasing the cat that stole a pouch, he hadn’t met her again but──,

「What are you saying? I have no plan to make you do any more chores. You protecting Cross Field and the new kingdom as a Drag-Knight of Syvalles is far more important. More importantly, are you hungry? You are finally here so have something to eat.」

「....Then, let me ac-->>

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