Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut Volume 4 Chapter 3

Episode 3: Encounter

"'The a.s.sa.s.sin Blade of the Empire'…….Is, this girl——?"

Marquis Dobar who got off the boat, discovered that the content in the cage wasn't a Drag-Ride, nor a weapon, but a girl.

Elegant black hair fluttered in the night wind; porcelain white skin that s.h.i.+ned in the dark.

And, even under the cover of her veil, one could see at her n.o.ble beauty with just a glance.

With exotic foreign clothing that exposed a lot of skin, combined with her exquisite body, even if she restrained herself, she would unconsciously attract the attention of men.

Cause of this unexpected appearance, Dobar’s private army let out a puzzled voice.

“I’ve heard that before … This is the real thing, right?”

"Isn't it the same as "The Black Hero," just a baseless rumor? The most important thing is that it could fight the Abyss 'Ragnarok' alone——"

" I also heard that when the Old Empire perished, he also died with it?"

In the middle of the night at the wharf, the soldiers whispered in discussion. Then the captain at the side forced a dry cough, quelling the noisy chatter.

"Hahaha. I understand your feelings. This old man is also skeptical about it."

Dobar revealed a smile, the girl slowly walked towards the front of the soldiers.

"Just seven years ago, the place that was destroyed by the Old Empire and then ruled by the eastern island county——the Ancient Capital. After the fall of that country, the most skilled force under the Old Empire was this girl.  She, under the name of ” the a.s.sa.s.sin Blade of the Empire” completed missions in the dark, a.s.sa.s.sinated political enemies and destroyed rebel forces, at the same time eliminating groups of Abyss. Afterwards, she was imprisoned on the island, or presumably, as we have only heard it through rumors."

Both hands in cuff, the blindfolded girl quietly smiled.

“Staring tomorrow, this girl will join the ruins investigation. How do you feel? Kirihime."

“There is no better feeling than what I feel right now.”

The girl with her silver bell-like voice that vibrated the night sky immediately answered.

Her voice was without a trace of uneasiness, nor was excessive self-confidence, but only extremely calm.

However, feeling his subordinates were shaken, the captain took a step forward and asked.

"Sir, I'm sorry for interrupting you. I have indeed heard of “the a.s.sa.s.sin Blade of the Empire,” the rumors, but is this girl really——!?"

Instantly, the captain shut his mouth.

"Be a little more careful. You would have died if you slipped, right?"

A s.h.i.+nning tips appeared in front of the captain's throat.

The unique heritage sword of the eastern country Ancient Capital——called "blade" was pulled out in an instant by the girl.

However because she was blindfolded and was in handcuffs, pulling the sword from its sheath on her waist looked unnatural.

"Y, you……..!?"

The men in the army were about to pull out their Sword Devices.

However,

“Put away your swords. In any case, you guys cannot match this girl.”

"Bu, but……"

Dobar calmly stopped them, the men also relented.

“Please forgive my rudeness.”

The girl said with a polite voice and put away the sword pressed against the captain's throat.

"I'm somewhat of an impatient person, I got tired of this type of exchange a while ago. Thinking things like "can a child like this operate a Drag-Ride?" and "stop s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around"——which is why, during times like this I will demonstrate my willpower and strength directly. Or alternatively, I'm fine with being exposed a bit more, you know? The strength of my [divine-equip drag-ride] is also——"

Carrying out acts of violence, the authenticity of which was difficult to determine, the young girl left the nearby soldiers feel aghast and be stated with indifference.

The blade in her hand emitted a faint light, and behind her appeared a Drag-Ride frame.

With her sealed vision and her hand constricted, she was still able to perform rapid actions like lightning.

This was the proof of her talent in swordsmans.h.i.+p as well as being a superior Drag-Knight.

Her power exceeded the combine strength of all the soldiers here and showed that she can complete her mission perfectly.

"I, I understand…..I have no more question"

“Thank you for your  understanding.”

The girl smiled politely.

"Then, if you please"

Dobar ordered his men to remove the handcuffs.

Then the girl personally removed the blindfold, her eyes showed in front of everyone.

"Oo…..!?"

At that moment, the troops lines exploded with whispers.

Slender and graceful eyes with different colored pupils.

Her right eye was like a bottomless blue sea. And on her left a mesmerizing violet jewel.

Although she was a peerless beauty, her strange smile made those who looked at her feel fear.

Because it reminded them of demons that did not belong to this world.

"Please feel free to call me anything you want, a sinner, or “the a.s.sa.s.sin Blade of the Empire”or anything else.——Aa, if there is anyone still wants to call me by my name regardless, please call me as….."

The girl looked liked she danced in the moonlight turned around, smiled, and said.

"Kirihime Yoruka….."

At the same time that night.

In the New kingdom Capital Lordgalia

That night, the King's conference room was filled with n.o.bles and people of great importance.

There were 6.

The New Kingdom Queen Raffi and a.s.sistant prime minister Nulph.

Not counting the Kreutzer House which stepped down, there were also the heads of three of the Four Great n.o.ble Families.

In addition, Shalice’s father, the deputy commander of the army was also present.

The entire room was illuminated with candles and the castle were stationed with elite guards, such to show the importance of this military conference.

And as if the conference's atmosphere was affecting the outside, the Imperial City was enveloped in a strange silence.

"So that absurd idea from before——that was called the 'Imperial Capital Recapture Plan', did you make a mistake?'

This man had a thin face and body similar to a skeleton that reminds people of a skinny and aging tree.

The oldest of the four n.o.bles, the old man, Zagha Schultzed calmly ignited the fuse.

At first glance, it sounded like a polite question, but what it implied was very different from the att.i.tude it let on.

He had lent his power to the Old Empire's in his twenties, and was one of the rare strong leaders during the era of war and struggle.

Known to quickly grab important intel and employ cunning strategies to benefit only himself, even if he was on their side, no one could effort to be careless.

Queen Raffi took a deep breath and answered his question.

"According to the report of the spies who went to Heiburg, that seems to be the case. The backbone of the rebel army——the fleeing Old Imperial Army was received by an independent force led by the army of Heiburg. Thus soon after, the rebel army will “retake” the throne——they once attacked the Imperial Capital for this."

Of course, Heiburg would not just help the rebel army.

After this, Heiburg would rule through the rebel army to indirectly dominate the Empire.

"Hmm………."

After the old gentleman responded, a burly man sitting next to him snorted.

"Fuh, isn't that the same as what we predicted. Just for this boring topic, you made me come to this meeting?"

"We are in Her Royal Highness's presence, Bugriser."

For the unsightly att.i.tude of the burly man, Prime Minister Nulph reminded.

However, one of the four n.o.bles - Bugriser Gashtoph- didn't take to mind, and laughed out loud.

"Oo, this is really rude. But … dear prime minister, we can't just come here as we like. And if nothing else, it is precisely because the moral principles that we a.s.sist Her Majesty the Queen, after all there is that covenant. If you forget these, it would not be good, right?"

With his fingers tapping his head, Bugriser smiled.

The young prime minister at the same time was speechless. This time from the opposite seat came a sound.

"You should take care to talk less nonsense if that is the case."

The distinguished young man Dist • Ralgris suddenly stared at the burly man.

"We have no spare time to waste on unnecessary arguments. Whether it is me or you, nor this country either."

"Fuh"

Hearing Dist's words, Bugriser turned a deaf ear. When everything calmed down, the military conference resumed.

Currently at the New Kingdom, the Queen’s relation with the n.o.bles did not have a dominant position.

The Old Empire – now The New Kingdom, had a vast territory.

That itself was the problem, solidarity broke after the collapse of the long-ruling Old Empire, if the Four Great n.o.ble Families were to disband, the system of rule over the territories would fall into anarchy.

Right now the New Kingdom’s existence depends on the Four Great n.o.ble Families.

"Now, how do we deal with the incoming Heiburg and the Old Empire rebel armies? We can't lend much troops to the kingdom, right? Right now the number of excellent Drag-Knight still isn't enough."

That’s …”

To Bugriser's words, the Queen was hesitate to speak.

If there was a clear solution, they wouldn't need to convene the Four Great n.o.bles.

Since the New Kingdom would conduct warfare against foreign enemies, it was necessary to allocate the majority of the Drag-Knight to the garrison.

Not only they had to deploy the military, according to intelligence reports, the strength of the rebel army was still beyond their expected figure.

Seeing the young Queen's speechless figure, the old Zagha spoke with his hoa.r.s.e voice.

"——Then, how about using the students from the Imperial Academy, what do you think."

In an instant the atmosphere froze.

"Are you kidding, Sir Schultzed. You have the intention to just watch and sacrifice the students——"

Standing beside the Queen, the prime minister Nulph hastily raised objections.

"Oh no wait, I have also heard. Rumor said that, the Imperial Academy Knight squadron… 'Knights (Syvalles)' is a considerable fighting force."

"Beside, isn't there an excellent Drag-Knight that destroyed an Abyss appeared in the Citadel City. It's the only male student in the Academy——The sinner Lux Arcadia yes?"

"….."

Raffi and Nulph, who had heard the words, had a stiff look on their faces.

"Where exactly, have you heard this——"

"Aa, please do not misunderstand, I’m not trying to figure out what happened in the past. But I want to protect the country now. Don't you think so? Your Majesty the Queen."

After listening to Zagha's suggestive words, the burly man sitting next to him exposed a crooked smile

"So that's it, it is pretty reasonable. That sinner did appear on the battlefield against foreign enemy."

"It’s just that, even more than his father, the previous Emperor, I heard that he's good at attracting girls……."

Seeing old man exposed vulgar smile, Raffi frowned.

"Then it's troublesome. Because he is the sinner of the Old Empire, to intervene in the Imperial City——either militarily or politically, it will attract all sorts of gossip"

"Yes, thus ——a decision needs to be made. Your Majesty."

At this moment, the silent Dist Ralgris abruptly interrupted.

"Because you are the one that let him live. If he were to have any connections with someone in this country's center of power, it would be you. So the decision to let him subjugate the 'Imperial Capital Recapture Plan' along with the Knight Squadron can only be decided by you."

Raffi temporarily became silent, lost in thought.

The true ident.i.ty of Lux Arcadia——the existence called 'The Black Hero',except for the Queen Raffi and the prime minister Nulph, as well as some additional other people outside, the four n.o.bles didn't know of this fact.

Although it was convenient to conceal Lux in the Citadel City 'Knights(Syvalles)', but from the world point of view, Lux was still the symbol of “Old Empire man”.

If he again involved with New Kingdom power central, it would attract a variety of incidents.

Not only the people, even the lords and those with power in the capital would move because of it.

However, right now the New Kingdoms needed to gather all its power to resist the 'Imperial Capital Recapture Plan'.

These ideas, needless to say, could be understand.

"If you have made your decision, then please return to the city and send him to me, the Schultzed house. After all, letting the sinner who is still a young man come to Your Majesty side is not really proper."

Zaghao bent his mouth, revealing those wrinkles and said.

“Hou. You're really an old fox, so narrowed minded. But giving the teenager to you, who knows what will become of it. How about we just let that sinner kid take care of the mess by himself."

Bugriser was also scratching his head, showing his ten-parts enthusiasm with the idea.

The queen Raffi looked at their actions, could not help but leak a sigh.

“He can’t be hand over to any of you. I’m the one most suited to be responsible for this person.”

Known as the most honest man in the Four Great n.o.bles, Dist quietly gave his input.

The words of the man who would always step back during the usual military conference shocked the atmosphere in the room.

"Hm. What is your reason? Is it that you no longer satisfied with your big lord status governing a region, similarly want to grab the control power of the New Kingdom?"

"To prevent the 'Imperial Captial Recapture Plan', I intend to let my daughter help. I remember I've mentioned this the other day? I agreed to let the boy serve as a Citadel City 'Knight', and my daughter is one of his friends. Right now he is getting closer to the being a Drag-Knight, so through my daughter we can determine the proper treatment for him later on."

"Well, there is some reason to it……But, is that true? Although your daughter was known as the strongest non-commissioned officer in battle, but it is rumored that she is quite aversion to men."

Zagha temporarily nodded, but still voiced his doubts.

"If she had agreed to enter the academy “Knights” along with him, then my daughter must have also accepted him. On top of that, I do not remember teaching her to mix private feelings."

"So that's it. Let your seductive daughter seduce the sinner, you are also a strategist who cannot be underestimated."

Facing Bugriser provocation, Dist did not respond.

For the lords who governed the vast territory of the New Kingdom, many of them have families living in the capital. They, and the government officials including the magistrates, had great connections within the New Kingdom.

Therefore, if each faction could leave merits and accomplishments in the New Kingdom, they would have the right to speak on both political and legal matters; they and their territories would also benefit.

Of course, the ones who knew this were not only the Four Great n.o.ble Families.

Not anyone else, in the household of Queen Raffi were a large group of men with strong ambitions.

“Give me some time to think.”

After a long silence, Raffi told them so.

As a result of this, the military conference was dissolved.

One by one those who gathered began to leave, only the oldest of them, the old man Zagha, stayed on the spot.

“Your Majesty, as an individual, I have a thing I want to confirm”

“What is it?”

Raffi steeled her nerves and asked.

Since the Old Empire, he had been lurking in the shadow, holding a personal intelligence network that warranted cautious against.

“Now, the ruin “Ark” is in the floating in the vicinity of Lies island, did you know?”

Hearing this, Raffi who was pretending to be calm slightly stiffened her face.

The information on the ruins was among the first-level confidential information between the countries, even the Four Great n.o.bles were not privilege to know.

Nevertheless, for him to know the movement of the “Ark”, she couldn't help but felt shaken.

“The Ark——how did you know?”

Muddy eyes flashed stopped at the reflexive respond in Raffi's eye pupils.

As if to spy on her mind.

"It's nothing, just a simple rumor only. Aa, just one more thing……there is a problem. I happened to hear that Her Majesty’s family, the Marquis Dobar, a few day ago had taken his private armies to Lies Island

"How could he——impossible. He ought to be mobilizing for other things……"

"If that is the case, this may be troublesome.The investigation right of the ruin held by our new kingdom Atismata had basically been exhausted in the last “Small Garden” investigation……"

Zagha continued to confirm.

"If, the number of intrusion in the ruins increases, it is no longer just a matter of the country. Presumably Her Majesty the Queen do not want this kind of event happening——"

“Tonight’s military meeting is over. If there are other things, please find another time”

Prime Minister Nulph saw that the topic would continue, interrupted from the side.

“Please forgive my rudeness, then I will excuse myself.”

Carefully bowed his head, the old man left the room.

After completely could not sense Zagha's breath, Nulph came near to Raffi’s side and whispered.

“Your Majesty, the Marquis Dobar's matter——”

“I have not heard of it. But ……”

At some point the “Ark” would be close to the island Lies. This was a top-secret black site of the Old Empire.

Not confidential to other countries, even the important people of the Old Empire who knew the exact location and its circ.u.mstances were very few.

Moreover, the new kingdom’s “Ark” location on waters from the island of Lies still had a considerable distance.

However, if Zagha’s news was accurate, then how did Dobar knew the Ark would come, and just what was he scheming?

“…….do you want dispatch a few secret agents to the Lies Island?”

“Get ready in the morning, though the coming events most likely cannot be stopped.”

Nulph the prime minister confirmed, Raffi embarked on the city’s red carpet.

Dobar Marquis was a distant relative of Raffi, moreover he had ambitions, not trust-worthy of use.

It was understandable that he had heard the news of the Ark.

However, Raffi noticed that another woman had sent the 'Knights' away to attend an out-of-school activity.

“I did not expect ——Relie, even you.”

Raffi said to herself.

As dark clouds covered the moonlight over the city.