Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 4 Chapter 7

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Chapter 7 - Masquerade

Part 1

The Seventh Continental Congress ‘Elysium’ ~A brief introduction of the attendees of each country~

I. Holy Espada Agency

The Pope Raquel IV is in charge with organizing this congress. Even though she is nine years old, her strong clairvoyance was recognized by all. She was a genius who was recommended to become the pope at a young age. She was now accompanied by twelve cardinals.

II. Chevron Kingdom

Apart from King Zacherias III and three princes, there are also the nobles who were involved in the country’s politic who attended. They made up a total of three thousand people all together which can be said as the biggest group.

III. Zepharos Empire

Emperor OrtofonVIII will be absent because of old age. He will be replaced by the baron of the Wadanhuoer borders. Apart from that, there were a few more powerful nobles who attended. Although their numbers were next to the Chevron Kingdom’s, but the amount of attendees for them is unusually small.

IV. Labrock Trade Union

Led by the Caudillo EnzoSabatini, a total of seven mayors from seven major cities attended.

V. Lautreamont Knight Country

Apart from Paladin Oswald and First Princes, Princess Veronica, the Fourth Princess, Princess Silvia will attend the congress for the first time. The second and the third princess will not attend because of studying aboard. Also, there are a few nobles who attend.

Part 2

After putting aside the pamphlet he took with him to pass time, Ash lay down on the bed lazily.

“Just as I had thought, Pricess-sama is amazing.”

A few moments before, Silvia was lying on this bed exchanging gazes with him. The living Silvia is just an arm length away. But after he saw Silvia’s name on the pamphlet, he still felt that she was still at that unreachable height.

Ash took out the silver watch that was given by the Paladin.

It was already six fifteen in the evening.

“It is already this late?”

After remembering that the masquerade starts at six thirty, he made up his mind to change. Just when Ash is going to take the suit hanging on the wall- He stopped.

“What is Eco doing?”

Girls are different from guys. They need to take their time to get prepared. Ash understands that. Even so, Eco and Prim had been away for four hours.

“Even if they are slow, this is just…”

Who knows where has she been to together with Prim.

After making up his mind, Ash removed the bandages on his left arm.

His left arm that was fully covered with his ‘Seikoku’ can be seen.

“Luckily I am connected with Eco.”

Not long ago, Eco was kidnapped by Angela. During that time, Ash found Angela’s hiding place with the help of his ‘Seikoku’.

Ash placed his left fist on his forehead and held his left wrist with his right hand.

“Please… Tell me where Eco is right now!”

After a pause, his left arm started to felt hot and the embroider symbols on his left arm started to glow. Butterflies created by magic started to fly one by one. These butterflies were like road signs and normally will show ash the way to Eco.

“Huh??”

But what happen next left Ash staring blankly. The butterflies created had disappeared and the lights and heats coming from his left arm too were gone.

“What’s happening!?”

Ash stood still, dumbfounded. Even though he kept on trying for the second and third time, he still ended up failing. His ‘Seikoku’ was like a broken bright dragon crystal powered lamp. It stopped functioning totally.

He had a bad feeling. This is Paladin’s main town, so he had never expected for Eco to face any danger here. Still, the connection between him and Eco that had been cut off was still the truth.

“Damn…!”

Ash was out of options and rushed out from the room.

He was running aimlessly at the long corridor.

When he was in the room together with Silvia, Eco probably was in danger… When Ash thought about this, he was disgusted by himself.

The space in the palace is wide. Even thought he had totally not idea where to search for Eco, still he couldn’t stay worried in his room.

Just when he was rushing at full speed at the corner, Ash saw a maid.

“Uwaa!”

“Ara ara.”

At the same time the maid was mumbling something, she nimbly avoided Ash.

Not only that, she also seized Ash’s necktie just when he was going to fall and pull him back. Ash was luckily as he was a few moments away from falling head down.

“It is not like what Ash-sama will do to run around panicking in the corridor.”

Ash looked back embarrassly and saw Cosette.

Ash as if he met his savior begged Cosette to help him.

“Eco and Prim had not yet return! Even the ‘Seikoku’ had no reaction!”

Cosette immediately became serious.

“Understood. I will immediately order the maids who were not on duty to search for them. It will be better than to let Ash-sama running aimlessly.

“Thank you! Lets-”

“You mustn’t. Please follow the original plan and attend the masquerade, Ash-sama.”

“How could I… She is my pal. It isn’t right for me not to search for her!”

“Please don’t forget that this is Fontaine City. The coming word may not be pleasant so I beg your pardon… Since the ‘Seikoku’ is not reacting, even if Ash-sama had joined the search, there is nothing you can do.”

“Wha….!”

“On the other hand, we maids knew the structure of this palace. Please believe in us and let us handle this matter. Not to mention that Prim one-chan is my family. I will deal this matter with full force.”

“Understood…”

After Ash promised while nodding, Cosette finally smile.

“Although this doesn’t seem right, I must ask Ash-sama to act as Princess-sama’s escort.”

“Princess-sama’s escort?”

“Even though she was always what you saw, actually, she is very timid and afraid of strangers. But, as long as Ash-sama is with her, I don’t think that it will be a problem.

Cosette’s plan should be perfect. But this is the time where Eco will face danger any moment, and yet he was enjoying the masquerade, he didn’t feels that this is the right thing to do.

As if she had seen through what ash was thinking, Cosette guaranteed:

“Please have faith in me, Ash-sama.”

Ash reluctantly accepted.

“…Alright. Eco will be in your hands.”

Part 3

After four in the evening, Anya returned back to Beowolf through the long secret passage. After handing over Eco to Dr Hoffman, she borrowed the shower room.

Although it is summer, Anya felt very cold. She was drenched by the heavy rain outside not long before.

After entering the changing room, Anya firstly removed her maid attire that was soaked with water. Then only she removed her tight undergarments.

Lastly, she let loose her hair that was tied at the back of her head and she was now naked.

There was a huge mirror hanging on the wall in the bathroom.

“…”

It had been a long time since she stared at her own body.

Her wet dark hair, her wheat coloured skin that only the mountains people have, her small chest and her curves that looked as if the extra flesh were being removed by a knife.

Without any reasons, Anya touched her breast. Compare to ‘La Tene’s’ manager, Rebecca of the president of the student council and Princess Silva, there is nothing special about hers- But at least hers could be compared with Eco’s.

It seems like I am not at all feminine… Anya mocked her own self. “…!” Just when she thought about that, Anya panicked. What nonsense am I thinking about?

It seems like I am not at all feminine… Anya mocked her own self.

“…!”

Just when she thought about that, Anya panicked.

What nonsense am I thinking about? Anya in her past was never bothered by her looks. It was probably that living in the dragon riding academy for this whole time had made her impetuous.

Logically speaking, big breasts will become a hindrance in battle. There are even legends that said that female warriors of the mountain people in the ancient times tend to cut off one of their breast in order to not obstruct them in archery.

“That’s it. It is better to have a small breast than to face the knife!”

After Anya tried to give herself an excuse, she turned on the tap.

Although the water was initially cold, it had turned warn in just a few moments. Anya once again was amazed by the Empires skills and let the warm water flows from her head.

She hoped that her impetuous feeling too will be wash away together-

Anya while letting the warm water run through her body with her eyes closed, she thought about her previous mission.

Basically, it was a successful mission.

Even though she had underestimated Eco’s fighting ability and caused her four underlings to be injured, still, since they were not spotted by any of the guards, she could force a pass in it.

“But… The problems start here.”

Part 4

On the third floor of the palace- In the ball room, the temperature is rising. All the guests were with a silver mask. Apart from those traditional mask where it hides the area beside the eyes, there were also masks that were shaped like dragons, lions and many other animals. Among them, there were also guest there dressed up as a clown.

After Ash who was in the formal suit wore the mask that he received from the counter, he stood beside the entrance. That was because Cosette had told him that he will meet Silvia sooner or later if he stood there.

The palace’s orchestra was performing a light music at the opposite of the door. Ash could never be able to blend into this kind of environment.

“Eco…Where are you?”

For numerous times… Ash had called out to his ‘Seikoku’, but there still isn’t a positive result.

The ‘Seikoku’ is like a quite beach during the low tide.

“-Anything wrong. You as if you are worrying about something.”

Suddenly, when he heard someone was talking to him, Ash looked up in fright. A lady with a black butterfly was staring at him. The black butterfly was of course a mask. Since it had only covered the top part of her face, it was easy when it come to figure out who she was.

“Huh… Princess!”

Silva glared at Ash.

“Uwaa, sorry…”

Ash was apologizing to Silvia while trying to check any emotional changes from her.

Her glaring golden hair was tied into a mature hairstyle and stood out together with the deep red coloured ribbon. The long gloves that covered until her elbow gave out the feeling of a fair lady. On her right hand was a fan which looked like a choice of a girl from a high family status.

Her evening was blue in colour with gem stones sewed on the important places and it looks like it emerges from the lakes during summer. In contrast to her waist that was bounded tightly by Cosette, the lower part of her dress was let of loosely and looked like a sole lilium.

Ash blushed. He recalled the memories two hours ago where both of them were on the bed.

“Princess-sama… Is really beautiful.”

Ash felt pathetic as he has such a poor vocabulary. That is because Silvia is that beautiful.

“D-Don’t keep on staring at me. It’s embarrassing…!”

When Silvia noticed Ash’s sight, her cheeks turned rosy and shyly lower down her head. She open up the fan and covered her mouth with it.

“Sorry…”

Ash was also embarrass and turned he head aside.

There was an awkward moment in between the two and after a while, Silvia spoke:

“That’s it! I had heard of it from Cosette. It was said that Eco and Prim were lost together…”

Upon hearing, Ash was now fully awake.

“That’s right… Cosette right now was looking for them. If it is possible, I would also like to take part in the search. But, the ‘Seikoku’ is not reacting.”

“What did you say! How is it possible…?”

Just when Silvia was getting tense…

“Excuse me, miss. Can you please step aside?”

A man who was hiding he face like the rest of the guest was speaking to Silvia gently. The man's language bears a strong Empire’s accent.

“Ahh…Sorry.”

Silvia immediately stepped aside.

“Thank you, Princess Silvia- Sorry, tonight should be a masquerade. Hehe… It is better if we keep each other’s identity a secret.”

The man who was like a noble spoke like a poet and walk into the ballroom leisurely. Even when Silvia wore her mask, the man recognised her with just a glance.

Who the hell is this guy…Ash felt uneasy.

“You!”

At the next instant, Ash shouted.

The mysterious man have a follower with him. The follower initially was following the man from behind but he was forced to stop when Ash held his shoulder.

“You are…!”

Silvia gasped when she saw the follower.

Ash angrily asked without hesitating:

“Milgauss… Why are you here!?”

To his horried, Milgauss attempted to enter the ballroom with his usual mask.

“…Can you please let go, Ash Blake. I have nothing that I want to talk to you here.”

Milgauss was calm.

Not only Ash was irritated by Milgauss when he purposely called his full name, but he also had a bad feeling about it.

“What? How dare you after doing those things…”

When Ash was going to refute, ne noticed something.

The Kingdom’s language that Milgauss used doesn’t bears the Empire’s accent. Milgauss is Prince Julius- There is a sudden increase in the probability of what Silvia had said.

“Oops. Could it be that my follower had offended both of you?”

The man before turned back to face the door. The previous tense atmosphere disappeared in an instant.

Milgauss glared at Ash as if he wanted Ash to know his stand.

Through the mask, the fierce pressure that his eyes bear caused Ash to be shaking.

Milgauss than act as if he had lost interest in Ash turned around and faced the man.

“Nothing. Just a misunderstanding. Nothing to make a fuss about.”

Even though he was a follower, Milgauss didn’t even try to speak in a humble form.

Ash could only see them off disappearing into the crowd.

At this moment, Silvia spoke to Ash in a stuttered voice:

“That man… I knew him.”

“Really?”

“That’s it. He should be the Klaus, Baron for the Wadanhuoer borders.”

He had never imagined to hear the name of the agent of the Zepharos Empire’ Emperor from Silvia. In his heart, he felt a tense feeling as if someone was pointing a knife at his neck which is far more intense than the previous fight between him and Milgauss.

Part 5

After bathing, Anya changed back into a usual tribal wear.

Even though the weather was hot, she still had the muffler around her neck. The mission before required her to remove the muffler which made her have the feeling of the lack of safety around her neck. Now, it is better.

After that, Anya head to the armory to check on Eco.

Part 6

Upon stepping into the armory, the atmosphere changed significantly into a hectic situation. ‘Yggdrasill’ seemed to be running and the buzzing sound can be heard.

The Millenniums on the body of the machine were shining. There are also the sounds of the technician reading the data shown on the screen.

It seems that Eco was already inside ‘Yggdrasill’-The capsule.

Her clothes were removed and she was naked.

She is just like a baby holding on to her knees floating in the capsule.

Her beautiful figure gave Anya a mysterious feeling.

“Ahh, ain’t you Anya-dono?”

The representative of the researchers- Dr Hoffman noticed Anya and walk towards her.

“Has the experiment…begun?”

“At our current stage, there is nothing abnormal. It is all according to the plan.”

Dr Hoffman gave a gentle smile just a kind elderly man. But this man took Eco as a experimental object without even a second though. This made Anya felt uneasy.

“It seems that Anya-dono didn’t like much about this experiment.”

Dr Hoffman’s word had hit the bull’s eye.

“N-No…!”

Anya felt embarrass. Even though she denied verbally, everyone can tell that she was lying from the looks of her face.

“It is alright. You are still young.”

“Professor… Have you ever have any doubt? Although Eco is a dragon… her appearance is of a girl’s.”

“Do I have a choice? For what I am today, it is all thanks to Klaus-sama. Last time, when I was force to carry out all inhuman experiments, I strongly rejected them and pissed of the Zepharos Emperor. In the end, I was chased out from the capital Arkham. During that time, Klaus-sama is my savior and invited me to his private research center.” After saying that, Dr Hoffman gave a gentle cough.

“Anya-dono, what do you think that this ‘Yggdrasill’ was used for?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“I am not surprise. Even I have no idea about this thing initially. I only realized after I read Milgauss-dono’s written opinion.”

“What did Milgauss-sama wrote?”

“It was said that, a long time ago… when the ancient kingdom reaches its prime, humans and dragons can even control life. On the first glance on this ‘Yggdrasill’, Milgauss-dono knew that this is a medical tool.”

“Medical…?”

“In contrary to the modern times, all the dragons in the ancient time can transform into a Maestro. But of course there are exceptions. This machine is used for dragons who couldn’t transform into Maestro… Basically, it was for dragons with handicap.”

Anya finally understood Dr Hoffman’s hint.

“In another words, our plan is to use its function… To awaken Eco?”

“That’s right. We are going to compress the enormous magic of the Millennium into her body and force out her true self.”

“But…Why now? Tomorrow is the continental congress ‘Elysium’, to launch such a experiment at such an important time is to…?”

“This has no longer anything to do with me.”

Dr Hoffman’s answer is no longer the kind old man. He just answered coldly.

“I am only following Klaus-sama’s orders. Anya-dono, didn’t you too obeyed Milgauss-dono’s order to capture young dragon Eco?”

“That’s… true.”

Dr Hoffman’s words were like an ice blade that stabbed into Anya’s chest.

References and Translation Notes

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