Title at the end
WORLD: EARTH
BRANCHED WORLD: SAIJAKU MUHAI NO BAHAMUT
LOCATION: KNIGHT ACADEMY
Inside a small yet spacious office room.
A window at the back of the room, a wooden table and chair near said window.
A potted plant beside said furnishings, and in the middle of the room, two couches facing each other alongside a rug underneath them.
"Young man, where have you been? The principal didn't enroll you so you could skip class."
"And you, Young man. You might be the Legendary Frostveil himself, but not even you get to—"
She was stopped.
Currently, both Laurel and Lux were getting scolded by one of the Knights academy instructors.
They immediately left for here, and were of course apprehended by the personnel who saw them.
Unfortunately, time doesn't stop in their worlds, so things like this could happen.
Now, standing in front of the Knights Academy Principal's seat was Reile Aingram, who motioned to the instructor.
"It's enough. Not to mention, the Legendary Frostveil himself is the revered 'agent of god' of the Ymir Theocracy."
In a way, now, the title wasn't far off.
He was a self-proclaimed agent of Luminous, who was the closest thing to a Goddess at this point.
And the Ymir Theocracy had dubbed him as one. Then, there wasn't anything stopping the spread of Luminism into this world too.
Lux, true to himself, flinched and glanced over at his friend, 'what's he planning now.'
But regardless of that, the pink-haired woman continued interlacing her fingers then resting her chin above them.
"It's good that you two are here. It's a bit of an urgency."
The moment she said that, both frowned.
As they knew, Hayes was the one piloting everything, so that meant another person had taken up Hayes's role.
'Probably Fugil. If not him, one of those ancient Arcadia families that survived to the present day.'
What's more was that Hayes didn't bother with the people she once held a bond with.
No... that was an understatement.
She never had anything to do with them, and they were only using each other, and now serving Laurel was the perfect chance to cut ties with them.
And so,
Without a word, she fled.
"Seems like it's already that time."
Laurel muttered under his breath, the words almost silent, but his friend beside him caught every word.
"Is it Nii-san?"
Like Laurel, Lux also whispered silently. Even a skilled knight like the instructor couldn't see their lips move, not to mention hear them.
"Yeah, or those of the other members of the surviving Holy Empire Arcadia."
"Then, there's no way Nii-san isn't involved."
"I feel so too."
Meanwhile, all that conversation was done in the span of a few seconds; Reile, on the other hand, continued without knowledge of this information.
"Lately, we've caught wind of negotiations with foreign countries, however..."
"This morning, at the border, a large number of Drag-Rides were spotted closing in."
Relie said so, with a sigh escaping her lips. To which, Laurel and Lux didn't seem fazed.
The coup Hayes originally planned somehow, even without her, proceeded as it would.
The ones leading the coup somehow acquired foreign and illegal drag machines and are now on their way to infiltrate the Atismata Kingdom.
"Hundred."
"Excuse me?" Reile blinked.
"I estimate their numbers to be about a hundred alone. That's more than the knight squadron of this school can handle; let us."
Laurel said that, his head cocked up slightly, with a tone of superiority.
The green-haired instructor couldn't help but flinch at the pressure.
Certainly, there was no sign of the temperature dropping, but the room somehow became chilly.
"Haah. The knights just moved out several minutes before you were found. We should have sorted you out immediately, however...."
She then looked at Lux. Laurel then blinked. "Ah..." he muttered.
... Right...
Totally his fault.
Because he kept on calling Lux out so much. It had probably skipped his mind that Lux was technically still a wanted person, in some ways.
"We'll talk about that when we get back; let's give our support as soon as possible."
"Please do."
Reile said, eyes closed, and then
BANG!
With a burst, the door opened, and both males ran past the door into the hallway.
However, instead of using the hallway like normal people, though they weren't normal anymore, they opted for the window.
The open section of the window faced the principal's office. One by one, both scaled through.
It was about seven floors above ground, including the ground floor. Yet without a care in the world, they jumped.
THUD!
With a soft thud, both landed and almost immediately reached to the sides as they began dashing on the bed of green.
"Come forth."
"Serve me."
Both uttered those words. Originally, there was nothing hanging on their waist, but the moment they said that, bright white light shone.
It shone as they then began a sword drawing motion, mid-run towards the gate leading out to the academy.
"Frosted Wyvern."
"Khaos Wyvern."
Both drew an arc in the air as they then drew their sword. A brilliant white light enveloped them as they then paused.
Laurel's Wyvern, clad in white with lighter blue colors tracing around it with a few deep blue circuit lines running along it.
While Lux's Wyvern was the same, but with a dark color, which it was wearing Bahamut's Dress Gear.
"..."
They both stood in motion for a moment, then without a word, two colors painted the sky once more.
White with light blue particles and crimson red with black particles.
Meanwhile, as this happened, someone amongst the first years caught a very interesting sight.
They were returning back to the dorms since the battle there didn't concern her, as she came from another country.
What's more was that she wasn't in the Squadron, in addition to being a noble woman of said country she came from...
"The Black Hero and... Frostveil?"
Her eyes widened, with hands folded under her modest chest. Her slender frame paused as she tried to make sense of what she saw.
Of course it could only be Frostveil.
That machine, rather, those two machines were exactly what was described.
"...that..."
Inadvertently, Lux, who made Wyvern wear Bahamut dress gear, and Laurel,
who used that same machine to debut during the Frostveil Bay incident, now revealed their true identities....
"No... way. Lux Arcadia is the Black Hero? And, he's acquainted with Frostveil?"
Before she knew it, her arms dropped to the sides as she simply stared.
If anyone from her family saw this, they would no doubt dump everything and chase after the 'agent of God.'
But her...
'....'
An indescribable expression crossed her features.
Meanwhile...
Deserted Plain
"Kuh–! this is bad."
A mortal combat was unfolding in the battlefield of the wasteland.
30 metallic flying type Abysses; the Gargoyles' fierce attack.
And for some reason, the defense squad commander Velvet, who wasn't attacked by the Abysses, was looking at that hell from the rear like a commander.
Velvet.
Originally one of the New Kingdoms official. Being one of the people who had been planning the coup before Hayes' disappearance.
And now this was only possible, thanks to one of the factors that he held in his hands.
Abyssal Flute.
This was the power of a particular flute which rested in his hands.
Yes, the particular one that Hayes once used to summon Ragnarok.
However, it wasn't Ragnarok that was summoned; rather, gargoyles.
And all those numbers ganged up on her, a young girl with a petite body, riding a Red and White [Divine Drag-Ride].
Tiamat.
However, it didn't matter if she were wearing a [Divine Dragon].
"Kuh...! Haah!"
Lisha roughened her breathing and put strength to all parts of her limbs.
She perturbed the opponents with a total of 16 [Airborne Fortress], a drone like equipment her [Tiamat] came with,
blocked their movements with the Divine Raiment [Heavenly Voice], Gravity Control,
and surely consigned them to oblivion with the maximum bombardment of the [Seventh Heads], a cannon, at last.
Yet, these moves were of the extreme.
Using all three major armaments of the Divine Drag-Ride [Tiamat], she performed an attack with output beyond the limit consecutively.
The Knight Squadron's members who covered her were also making frantic efforts, but they were still outnumbered.
Even so, without loosening the offensive, she continued to reduce the enemies' number little by little, but—,
"Kuh... Haa!"
Finally, the limit, which couldn't be extended with just feelings, was approaching.
Her vision grew hazy, and her hands and feet no longer did what she wanted.
"Haa..., Haa...!"
There were about a dozen of Gargoyle type Abysses remaining.
Of course, even if only one remained, it was not an opponent to which she could let her guard down,
but finally the chance of being able to execute the last plan came.
"Sharis, Tillfarr..., are you safe?"
Narrowing down the dragon voice, which acts as some sort of telepathy to only the "Knight Squadron"' members, Lisha called out to them.
『...I'm sorry, but Princess, I was saved by a comrade and have already begun to withdraw.』
『Yes, it looks like I'm also at my limit... My armaments have been blown of along with the armor of both my hands—』
To reply with a husky voice, Lisha smiled wryly.
She was rather thankful to her friends who fought with her despite the overwhelming difference in force.
『You guys should withdraw. Instead, I have a request. Tell the instructors who are in the Fort City to come out to attack. If my aim from now on succeeds, that is.』
『Princess. Don't tell me it's...?』
Sharis guessed Lisha's intention.
『Yes, I'm –– going to aim at the boss who possesses that flute.』
It was recorded that Abysses originally had the habit of attacking living things indiscriminately.
Nevertheless, that defense squad captain Velvet, who sided with the Old Empire, far from being attacked, showed no signs that he could get caught up by their attacks.
And the golden flute which the man possessed was not a Drag-Ride's armament.
It was probably a treasure of the ruins, and he was manipulating the Abysses using it.
In short, if she could even do something about that flute, or if she defeated Velvet, it was likely that the Abysses would lose control.
She couldn't do it until now as the numbers were too much, but her chance had fnally come.
"—How unsightly, Lizsharte. Originally, it was a mistake in the first place that the likes of a bitch like you, who must have lived waiting upon a man even if for a while, to sit on the seat of Princess."
Velvet who was staying in the air behind the Abysses was looking down at Lisha with a smile of mockery-
But she wasn't going to take that,
Hence,
"Hmm. So that's to say, men are fellows like you who act conceited and make up repetitive excuses after it's over? And yet, they can only say things when they are in an absolutely advantageous situation, huh. I see; then it's natural that the Empire has been destroyed by we, the women."
She countered back.
"...You've got some nerve. No, I shall give praise for that remarkable bluf. Even though you're exhausted to the extent that the Divine Drag-Ride which you wear has already begun its rampage."
As Velvet sneered at her, he put his lips on the flute and sent a breath.
A strange noise that was hard to describe resounded, and the Abysses came back behind Velvet all at once.
"As you wish. I'll ride on the one-to-one fight that you desire. I shall give a glorious death in battle to you."
Setting up a large-sized blade in an overhead position, Velvet declares so.
"What a funny joke. It will only be a shame even if my life was taken by a small thing like you."
As Lisha returned a smile to that, she pulled a small blade and flew up.
Divine Drag-Ride [Tiamat] vs. Strengthened Flying Type Machine Dragon [EX Wyvern].
If the users' technique, stamina, and equipment were equivalent,
[Tiamat] was an advantageous combination in a difference of airframe performance, but now it was different.
Lisha accumulated fatigue to the extent of vomiting blood, and her armor was also crumbly.
Her special abilities –– not only weren't there the [Heavenly Voice] Divine Raiment,
there was also neither the strength to operate the [Airborne Fortress] nor the spare energy to perform a bombardment with the [Seventh Heads].
It was even difficult to fly straight to where Velvet was, who was waiting in the sky.
If it was a one-on-one fight, the result could be seen. The enemy was also confident about it.
Precisely because of this reason––, there was a chance of victory.
"Come on, you should scatter that life! False princess!"
The moment when the energy from the Force Core streamed down Velvet's large sword.
Lisha threw her set-up blade before his eyes.
"––!?"
The throwing of the small sword. At the same time, [Tiamat] which was rising suddenly stopped.
It wasn't limited to just Drag-Knights; if you lose your weapon in a battlefield, it will lead to an immediate death.
Velvet cut off the blade which was thrown with his large sword swung downward.
"Fool, did you think that such a move would work?"
There were no substitute weapons in Lisha's hands. The fight was decided.
"Haha. It's you who made a mistake."
Lisha's small laughter reached the ears of Velvet, who was facing her. Her hands were holding slender twin swords.
The two Sword Devices corresponded to the [Chimeric Wyvern].
Once one wore a Machine Dragon, the Sword Device could only be used as a control stick.
If the Sword Device to control the Machine Dragon was taken away or destroyed, one's defeat was decided.
Aside from using it that way, it was for self-defense before wearing a Machine Dragon; it could not be used as a weapon after wearing the machine.
Thus originally, it was an attack which could not be predicted.
If it was a Sword Device where the Force Core was used in a part of the sword blade, one could also break through the barrier of a Drag-Ride.
Velvet had completely exposed an opening immediately after shaking off his large sword.
(Got you!)
The moment when Lisha wielded her twin swords with conviction, "It's a shame, bitch."
"Wha––!?"
Lisha's senses became dull as if time stopped.
As if the flow of time which she felt slipped through her recognition.
*dong*
Velvet's large sword was swung first.
The fragment of the armor scattered before Lisha's eyes. In the blue sky where the sun rose, one red flower bloomed.
"Ku, ah...!"
The twin swords being flipped, Lisha, who had a part of her armor broken, fell on the ground.
As if seeking something, she stretched out her right hand to the sky and suddenly ran out of energy.
『Lisha-sama!』
A member of the "Knight Squadron" that was preparing for withdrawal screamed, but it was no use.
The dozen of Abysses which had been on standby quickly moved and stood in the way, as they formed a wall between Lisha and the "Knight Squadron".
"Ha! Hahahahaha!"
Velvet's sneer resounded in the wasteland and the sky.
"W-What... is this...?"
Hearing Lisha's groan, Velvet fearlessly smiled.
"'Quick Draw'. It's a kind of Drag-Knight secret art once handed down to the Empire's army."
"After reaching the Imperial Guardsman Knight Squadron's head, and after five more years of training – I finally mastered it."
"Quick Draw"
A mind control operation in addition to the body control operation.
A special move that dishes out unseen attacks with just one stroke, in an instant,
through a sequence of movements from the perfect overlap of manipulating two different systems.
The Drag-Knights' three secret arts had been handed down as a legend even after the New Kingdom's establishment,
and a person who mastered even one of them was praised as a super first-class user.
"I have been sharpening my fangs for this time for five years since the day of the coup d'état. I endured the painful act of becoming the watchdog of you damn bitches. Hahahahahaha! It's the best feeling!"
"You low-life...!"
Lisha, still lying face up with her arms and legs outstretched, chewed her lower tip.
"With this, I've achieved my purpose. Afterwards, I'll hold you hostage and only use you in a deal with the Queen."
Velvet played the flute and called back the Abysses behind him. Lisha herself had no more cards to play.
"Kuh..."
She pulled the trigger with a fingertip as she struggled, but [Tiamat] no longer reacted.
'Finally, this time has come again...'
As her consciousness became cloudy due to fatigue and bleeding, Lisha suddenly heard a voice.
"Kuack!"
"Gah!"
Then noises like that resounded. Lisha opened her eyes to the sky. She blinked, and an arc of red was made in the sky.
In the blink of an eye, multiple flowers bloomed across the sky.
"W–what!?"
"Guahhhh!"
When she squinted her eyes, she saw a white trail, from which emitted blue particles of light.
"WHO!?"
Commander Velvet turned to the sky and shouted. However,
"It's your father, scum."
Laurel then hovered in the air above, looking completely unfriendly. Then, in the next second,
"Unfortunately, I'm not the one to deal with you. But lmao, you... you're really fucked."
A cruel smile painted Laurel's face as he shimmered into white particles and continued the massacre.
"YOU—"
However, just before he could move,
A silhouette appeared above before he could blink. It was a Drag-Machine, and its rider, one who bore silver hair, the symbol of true royalty.
On their face was a furious expression. It was an enraged Lux Arcadia.