Vermillion Empire Arc

Vermillion Empire Arc is the third arc of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan light novel series. It includes arcs the latest three arcs. It is preceded by the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival Arc.

Volume 10
After the end of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, Ikki Kurogane and Stella Vermillion are invited to a meeting between Kurono Shinguuji, Nene Saikyo and Bakuga Tsukikage, the Director of Akatsuki Academy. When they arrive, they are briefly attacked by a mysterious Blazer, but the fight is soon called of by Kurono. She reveals that the mysterious Blazer is Ascarid, the fourth ranked Blazer in the KOK A-League, who came to test Ikki's and Stella's strength.

Tsukikage then tells Ikki and Stella about Desperados, beings that have broken the chains of fate, and reached greater power than any normal Blazer. He explains that during Ikki's and Stella's battle, Ikki became a Desperado, due to reaching his limit and breaking through it. Tsukikage then uses his ability to show a dark vision of the future, where Tokyo is destroyed and in flames. He explains that this event is most likely an outcome of a possibly upcoming war between the League of Mage-Knight Nations and Union, which the League will lose. This was the reason Tsukikage formed the Akatsuki, wanting them to win the Festival and lessen the public reputation of the League, which would allow Japan to separate from it. However, as Akatsuki was defeated, the people still approve of the League, not wanting to separate from it. The meeting then ends, with Tsukikage hoping that Ikki and Stella can prevent the future he has seen.

There is a party held after the Festival, where the participants celebrate. Participants include Yudai Moroboshi, Tohka Todo, Rinna Kazamatsuri, Kiriko Yakushi, Sara Bloodlily and Shizuku Kurogane, among others. Ikki and Stella are also participating in the party, talking about the end of the Festival and the previous meeting. After the party, Shizuku contacts Kiriko, wishing for her to train her in healing.

Ikki and Stella then travel to Vermillion to meet Stella's family. During the flight to Vermillion, Ikki becomes very nervous, but Stella tells him that both her mother and sister approve of her relationship, with only her father being against it. When they arrive to Vermillion, they are greeted by hundreds of people, including Stella's mother, Astrea Vermillion. Astrea is very friendly to Ikki, but explains she needs to take Stella, as her father, Sirius Vermillion, wants to have a private meeting with her before meeting Ikki. Ikki isn't bothered by this, staying behind.

After Stella and Astrea leave though, Ikki is attacked by all the people present. It's revealed that the people still believe in the fake rumors about Ikki's and Stella's relationship, and they want to kill Ikki to protect Stella. Ikki however strikes an agreement with them, that instead of fighting them, he will try making it to the Vermillion Palace, before the people catch him. He then escapes to the roofs, running towards the palace.

Ikki fights with two students of Vermillion, Tilmitt Gracie and Miriallia Régie, who are some of the strongest warriors in Vermillion. Ikki though manages to defeat them, continuing towards the palace. On the roof of the palace, Ikki is confronted by Daniel Dandalion, Vermillion's Sword Mentor, who taught Stella in swordsmanship. Dandalion proves to give Ikki a challenge, showing great skill in swordsmanship. Ikki however defeats Dandalion, and busts through a window of the palace, into the room of Lunaeyes Vermillion, the 1st Princess of Vermillion, who is in her underwear.

Ikki is immediately embarrassed by the familiar situation, but Lunaeyes is not bothered, noticing Ikki's injuries, and trying to help him. Suddenly, Stella enters the room, noticing her sister and her lover together, greatly shocking her.

It's later revealed, that Stella's father, Sirius Vermillion is responsible for the people attacking Ikki, as he even put a bounty on his head. This greatly infuriates Stella, but Ikki comforts her, telling that seeing how much the people of Vermillion love Stella, has made him appreciate them even more. Lunaeyes then suggests that Ikki should participate in the upcoming tournament between Vermillion and the Kingdom of Cradleland. If Ikki wins, he will gain the right to marry Stella. Everyone agrees to this, although Sirius is unhappy by the situation.

In Cradleland, the participants for the upcoming tournament, Johann, Luke, Mira, Enalis and Lid are training, when they receive the news of Ikki participating. Despite knowing of Ikki's strength, they are not too worried, being confident in their victory. However, they are suddenly attacked by a young boy, dressed in a black coat. The boy is All-Goal, one of the Numbers of Rebellion, who was the one controlling Reisen Hiraga in the Festival. He takes control of Johann, and forces him to kill his entire team. He then takes control of the entire Cradleland, wanting to eventually reach his control to Vermillion, so he can cause suffering to Stella, who has peaked his interests. The League however notices mysterious activity in Cradleland and sends Ascarid to see what is going on.

Light Novels

 * Volume 10
 * Volume 11
 * Volume 12