Part 1
Hello everyone.
Rudeus Greyrat here.
Presently, I'm surrounded by those guys.
You know, those guys in polished blue armor. Eight knights were closing in around .
Today I think I'll take a mont to introduce them one by one.
Knight #1, Therese, directly in front of .
Therese Latreia.
Yep.
My aunt, one of Latreia's lot.
Out of all the Temple Knights in the expulsion faction, she has a slightly different nature.
She was sympathetic to despite my ties to the demon race…
Rather, demons and humans, we're really not all that different, are we?
You'd normally show a kindhearted face, but what kind of expression are you wearing now?
Your face is hidden by a helt, so I can't tell.
Let's proceed clockwise, to the right.
And, on Therese's right…
A man wearing a skull-like helt.
The side of his breastplate is cracked.
That injury looks familiar.
I don't know his na, but he looks like a knight with a na like [Skull Ash].
He's a skull-head, no doubt.
Next to him…
A man wearing a garbage can-like helt you'd see on the street corners of Milis.
Out of the 7 other people here, only you chose to wear a red cloak.
The Miko really likes that cloak, she would always wipe her dirty hands on it.
I think his na was [Dust Box].
And to his right…
A man wearing a smooth helt with the words [Sleep Peacefully] engraved in it.
He's probably over two ters tall.
Once I'd seen the Miko ride on top of his shoulders to pick fruits off the trees in the garden.
His na was sothing like [Grave Keeper].
Number four…
He's wearing a helt like a bamboo broom on his head.
His armor is featureless.
Well…
Broom… cleaning…
Ah, perhaps this guy was called [Trash Sweeper].
Three remaining.
Honestly I can barely tell them apart, I won't be able to rember them.
If I'm not mistaken, they should have nas like [Death] or [Grave].
Whenever the Miko would call out to them, they would proudly puff out their chests.
They were code nas that made my back itch.
Oh, that's right.
[Black Coffin].
[Burial Garnt].
[Cortege Head].
It was sothing like that.
The team na… what was it… um…
"It is ti to comnce the inquisition! Inquisition Chief of the [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)], Therese Latreia initiating!"
"Hah!"
The seven knights surrounding stabbed their swords into the ground.
That's right, they were called the [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)].
I think Therese told that once.
"Then I shall begin questioning the accused. Are there any objections!?"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"Objection! Movent for imdiate execution!"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"Objections dismissed!"
Aw, Dust-san looks depressed.
That's right, finding out the facts incidentally, after passing judgent with a smirk and no investigation, that's no good.
… Ah, it's my turn.
"Rudeus Greyrat stands as the accused!"
Um… Please wait a mont.
I can't swallow this situation.
Sobody, give a hint.
Here's what happened…
In order to rescue Zenith I t with Therese, the captain of the Miko's guard, at the religious headquarters, to lay the groundwork for negotiations, and was captured in a king-class barrier.
According to their story, I'm apparently suspected of being a heretic plotting to kidnap the Miko.
Ah, that's right, thank you inner monologue.
Okay.
Yeah, I might have considered kidnapping the Miko once or twice.
However I gave up on that, I ca here to ask Therese to help negotiate for Zenith's release.
In other words, this situation is so kind of mistake.
Has sobody been spreading false rumors?
I haven't told my kidnapping idea to that many people.
Aisha, Gisu, Cliff… and the Pope?
The Pope is the most likely suspect.
Or, maybe Gisu was caught, and spilled everything after being tortured.
… Is Aisha safe?
"The trial has begun! Defendant Rudeus, you are required to answer all questions honestly."
"… Yes."
I don't understand the situation.
For the ti being I should settle down and listen.
If I start acting violently here it will only send back to square one.
"Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
Have you or have you not been distributing books claiming that demon races are not evil, in order to seduce the hearts of believers?"
They seem to have been investigating .
Well, the Pope also knew.
I wonder if they have a database sowhere.
"No."
"Please answer honestly. Are you claiming that our investigation was misinford?"
"I'm not freely distributing the books, I'm properly making money."
"That can't be possible, selling them at such a cheap price."
Well, I guess it is cheap.
I'm more focused on volu than profit margins.
"Therese you should also understand, I--"
"The defendant is not permitted to speak outside of directly answering questions."
I just want you to listen for a mont.
I have a reason, to help Ruijerd.
Even you should know that Therese.
We've spoken about this in the past.
"Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
Do you worship the demon race and revere them as God?"
"…"
There's no use answering these kinds of questions.
"No, I do not believe in God."
"Unbelievable!"
"The accused has lied!"
"It's a lie!"
"Liar!"
"He must be lying!"
"It is my judgnt that the defendant is lying!"
"That's a lie!"
"According to the majority vote, it is concluded to be a lie."
It was concluded.
A majority vote, how democratic.
That's right.
I guess an inquisition is this kind of thing.
"This is the last question.
Defendant Rudeus Greyrat.
Have you planned to kidnap the Miko, the symbol of the Milis religion?"
"No. I may have said as much as a joke, but it never reached the level of creating a plan."
Well when I said it, it certainly wasn't a joke…
But that doesn't an I'd made preparations.
Take it with a grain of salt… it was a joke.
"Lie!"
"The accused has lied!"
"It's a lie!"
"He's lying!"
"It's a lie!"
"It is my judgnt that the defendant is lying!"
"That is a lie!"
Right.
Well this is an interesting turn.
I absolutely can't start laughing at my own inquisition.
That's no way to determine if soone is lying, but laughing at this farce won't help.
However, that was the last question…
"According to the majority, it is concluded to be a lie."
At Therese's solemn words, the seven knights struck their swords.
Wow, that's intimidating.
If I hadn't been observing their substance this past month, it might have gotten to .
"As a result of the trial, the defendant Rudeus Greyrat is hereby recognized as a heretic."
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"I object, such a judgnt is unnecessary! I recomnd sending the defendant ho to tend to his rice harvest!"
"… No objection!"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
"No objection!"
When I butted in with my objection, they glared at for a mont.
I'm sorry, it was Trash-san's turn.
"The inquisition has been concluded. For the cri of attempted kidnapping, the judgnt is capital punishnt!"
"What, is that like the death penalty?"
I don't really expect an answer, but I decided to ask anyway.
"No… your life will not be taken.
Your hands will be cut off to prevent the use of magic, then your arms will be sealed within a barrier and encased in earth."
I got my answer.
Well, this isn't a situation to ss around in, what should I do…
Their goal is to confine .
I'll have plenty of opportunities to attack later.
However, they plan to seal .
They plan to cut off my hands, and in a barrier.
Furthermore they plan to encase my arms in earth.
If that's the case, I won't be capable of magic or swordsmanship.
I guess that's the aning behind being [sealed].
If you do that, I won't be able to touch my wives' breasts.
I'd have to go back to using artificial arms…
Zariff's prosthetic hand doesn't have a bad sense of touch, but it doesn't feel very good for the person being massaged.
After all, a human hand should be warm and soft, and there's no warmth in a prosthetic hand.
"Therese-san, do you like to cripple people as a hobby?"
"… Isn't it a good hobby not to kill people?"
I feel like I've gotten a glance at her true nature.
I wonder if she really thinks that way.
The hands are used to kill people if they're allowed freedom…
Even though it's the opposite… I need these hands for love, not war.
"Er, but if I embrace my wife without any hands, won't I look stupid?"
"Ha? What…?"
"Eh, ah, for example, embracing my wife… pleasurably, you know."
"Che!"
After being told such an embarrassing thing twice, she finally got it and clicked her tongue at .
What for…
h.
Even if you catch being ero, it's not like I need your approval.
"Well in that case, I guess you guys aren't just going to let escape?"
"That's right."
"That trial was a joke, are you serious?"
"That's right."
"If you called over Miko-sama, I could prove my innocence… Certainly Miko-sama should be at such a trial?"
"… A gathering of seven Temple Knights has more than enough authority to convict a simple heretic."
"In other words, you do not plan to call Miko-sama over."
"That… is correct."
I can't see Therese's expression under her helt.
But her voice was trembling, just a little.
"You've been kind to up until now, was that all an act leading to this mont?"
"… No, we, even Miko-sama had accepted you. This is your betrayal Rudeus-kun."
"This is not my betrayal, I trusted you Therese, and ca to get along with Miko-sama who is important to you."
"…"
No answer.
She should have heard .
Ha…
It's a pity.
It's really a sha.
This ti, I really intended to get along with both sides.
I tried to restrain myself, I denied my rage, I was going to try to rescue Zenith peacefully.
"Therese, what will beco of my mother?"
"… I will take responsibility in persuading Claire. But at this ti, that is irrelevant."
Fumu.
Judging from her answer, it doesn't seem that Therese is the main culprit.
"I am certainly not a Milis believer, though I do have a connection with the Pope… But you understood that from the beginning, didn't you? So why--"
"Haven't you asked enough questions?"
My question was cut off by a cold voice.
No sign of an answer.
Though I suppose this wasn't a 'give and take' in the first place.
"Then allow to ask a final question, was this information given to you as a divine revelation in a dream?"
"No. This information is from a credible source. We would not trust the words of an incredible person."
"Even if the God in the dream calls himself Milis?"
The mont I said that, the knights around began shouting protests.
"Milis is not an oracle!"
"That is why Milis is God."
"Even if there was a divine revelation, such a thing would not be given to lowly knights such as ourselves!"
"Only Miko-sama could be worthy of receiving such a revelation."
"That's right! Milis-sama doesn't even call out to the Miko!"
"Milis is God!"
"Those who doubt God are the devil!"
Then, surrounded by those voices, Therese proudly said…
"Yes, that's right. Well said everyone… Rudeus-kun, our faith is absolute."
"… I am relieved to hear that."
For the ti being I may be surrounded by fanatics, but there doesn't seem to be an apostle of Hitogami among them.
Everyone here seems to be a pious Milis believer.
It's enough evidence just listening to them.
"…"
I lifted my hands out of the sleeves of my robe.
The sound reverberated through the cool air.
My left hand is equipped to deal with this kind of situation.
"[Absorption]"
I activated the magic absorbing stone in my palm.
The barrier at my feet disappeared without a sound.
The Temple Knights' eyes opened wide.
"Well then, shall we begin the fight?"
Part 2
"All hands! Spread out!"
At Therese's command, the Temple Knights jumped back.
I sidestepped towards the Temple Knights as they were trying to take distance, and started generating rock bullets with both hands.
Speed and hardness so-so.
Only to the degree that they might die if I hit them in the vitals.
Firing.
You're up first, Dust Box!
"Support!"
"Goodbye!"
The two rock bullets I fired towards Dust were deflected by the Temple Knights at his sides.
In their hands were sothing like translucent shields.
Elentary ranked barrier magic, [Magic Shield].
… Is that really elentary ranked? I was stopped by an elentary ranked spell?
"Dust, Grave, Skull right flank!
Trash, Coffin, Burial take the left!
Cortege and I will act as a mobile unit!"
Three people on each side fired magic off in unison.
Fire, water, and earth.
Three different attributes, not that it matters.
"[Absorption]"
While dissolving the magic with my gauntlet, I fired rock bullets to counter.
But, they were repelled.
The guy casting the barrier magic seems to be defending from behind.
"--With your blessing the small ember becos a searing fla! [Flathrower]!"
"--Bring down your majestic sword of ice, and strike! [Icicle Break]!"
At the sa ti magic was fired off from the other side.
Fire and water.
That's not it! The third one had his hands on the ground.
An Earth Lance!
"[Absorption]!"
I dissolved the fire and water magic simultaneously.
At the sa ti I countered the Earth Lance by creating a quagmire to disable it.
Oops, I was too slow.
I can't fire a counter.
But my legs still work.
I instantly back-stepped to avoid the magic flying at from the other side.
Only one spell.
Only a fire spell. It looked like a normal [Fire Ball]?
Only one?
There are three enemies on that side, why not three?
I don't have ti to think about that.
I aid my hands at both their left and right flanks.
"[Stone Cannon]!"
Because I had gained so distance stepping back, I saw it well.
The Temple Knights' formation had three people on each side.
Among them, two people had translucent shields, and jumped to defend from my rock bullets.
Well played.
Though I'd increased the speed and mass of the rock bullets from earlier, they easily deflected them.
That style looks familiar.
The Water God Style.
I see, it can even be used in conjunction with barrier magic. That's amazing.
"Spirits of the earth! Answer my call and rise fourth to pierce the heavens! [Earth Lance]!"
"Magnificent spirits of the water, I appeal to the Emperor of Thunder! Bring down your majestic sword of ice, and strike! [Icicle Break]!"
In that mont, two of the Knights without the shields fired off spells.
Naturally, I dissolved them… Now, what to do.
The enemy has separated into a left flank and a right flank with three people each.
Among those three people, two use barriers to deflect my magic.
Because I've only been firing two bullets at a ti, their two barrier strategy has been serving them well.
The third person counters by firing off an attack spell.
Then the flank that I didn't attack montarily drops their shields.
And, when I'm defenseless, they fire off three spells.
They were able to fire off spells with three different attributes because they didn't leave two on defense.
I guess they're a bit short on information about , since they're unaware that my magic absorption stone can simultaneously negate all magic.
At first they were only able to use magic to attack from one side, probably because of the distance.
At that distance I was able to break into the core of their formation.
It should be possible to get an attack in while they're chanting…
They should be particularly vulnerable while their shields are down…
But, it won't work unless I break into their formation.
… That might not be a good idea.
Well, let's see how you like this?
"[Fireball]!"
While deliberately shouting loudly, I started packing mana into the spell.
Enough to generate a fire ball about two ters in diater.
It had the size and heat of an advanced ranked spell.
But compared to the rock bullet's speed, it's slow.
Gently, I threw it like a slowball.
Aiming for both flanks.
"Support!"
Two knights stepped forward with barriers to block.
But, the magic barrier has a weakness.
"Ran Ma [Disturb Magic]!"
"!?"
I dissolved their barriers with [Ran Ma].
Both of the barriers protecting the left flank fell simultaneously.
Barrier magic, like most spells, continues to consu mana as you use it.
It's the sa even for elentary ranked barrier magic.
In other words, even if they aren't chanting, I can negate it with [Ran Ma].
The right flank will still be protected, but, this is their loss.
"…!"
And the mont I thought that, sothing ca flying at from behind.
While looking back, I brought my right arm up to defend.
With a loud [Ga~an], sothing broke into pieces and shattered.
A brown rock, flying towards my face, was reduced to debris.
I received so of the impact around my elbow.
It was a rock bullet.
This was the first ti my opponents have used that spell.
"Rudeus can use magic with both hands!
Two people are on defense, if an attack cos switch.
There's no room for mistakes!"
Therese and another person had snuck up behind .
Now, I have to defend from the rear as well.
"…"
Before I noticed it, I had been surrounded.
I'm beginning to fall behind, that was a blunder.
No, I wonder what kind of counterasures they have for close-combat.
The knights who received the fireball earlier are alive and well, with the exception of so smoke coming off their armor.
"Rudeus-kun. We are the strongest in the Temple Knights. You have no chance of winning."
"Really?"
"In the past ten days we have investigated your fighting style.
Thanks to your fa, we were able to arrange counterasures."
Fumu.
Then, why haven't you drawn your swords?
I only use magic.
No, in the current situation, they may not be able to avoid my magic in close-combat.
Of course, I still have so tricks up my sleeves.
They might be weary of that, and avoiding close-quarters combat as a precaution.
Given my present situation, their strategy could be called effective.
But, if this becos a fight of attrition, then I will have the upper hand.
They might have more counterasures…
Then, it's about ti I made my next move.
"Rudeus-kun, please surrender! You may have been able to use your magic tool to escape our barrier, but this is your loss, give up!"
"Hou?"
"The entrance to the garden is blocked by barrier magic! Help will not co!"
Is that right.
If you say it like that, then it's perfect.
They must have carefully devised this strategy to capture .
I can't win with half-assed tactics.
I have to be thorough.
I might have to experint in order to break through.
But, if I lose as a result, that would be disastrous.
"…[Quagmire]."
It's ti to get serious.
Part 3
--- Therese's Perspective ---
At the sa ti Rudeus let out that murmur, my feet sunk into mud.
We were given information about this magic as well.
It's the sa as Rudeus Greyrat's nickna, [Quagmire].
Normally, this magic would just produce a slick puddle at your opponents' feet.
But, as expected, this is a massive spell.
The entirety of this huge garden has beco a muddy swamp.
Miko-sama's beloved Saraku trees and Balta trees began to creak as they started to sink into the mud.
But, you can't stop us with sothing like this.
Trash has already started the chant to counter it.
"…[Dense Fog]."
In the next instant, we were swallowed by a vast white fog.
This is bad!
"Stay alert! First we'll counter the quagmire, do not accidentally attack your comrades in the fog!"
The next mont, purple lightning leapt over the ground.
It was too fast, in an instant I heard a sharp [kii~] and the sound of an explosion.
"Do not panic! Our armor is resistant to [Electric]! Make sure he doesn't escape! Go!"
[OK!] echoed out from the fog.
All right.
According to our information, Rudeus is weak in close combat.
All of the mbers of [Defense of the Holy Sepulcher (Anastasia Keep)] are advanced rank or higher swordsn, and capable of all advanced rank attack and barrier magic.
Even standing alone we are powerful, we are all well-versed in one on one combat, the fight is still in our favor.
Though I'm only around the interdiate rank in the Water God Style, Cortege is nearly saint ranked.
Even if Rudeus has power on par with an emperor ranked magician, it will not be possible for him to break through our defense.
We have not made a mistake in our strategy.
"--We are countering the [Quagmire]!"
"[Shifting sand]!"
As Cortege finished his chant, Trash's voice was heard.
The mud at our feet quickly turned to sand, and we freed our feet.
I'm sorry, Rudeus-kun.
[Quagmire] can be countered with the advanced rank magic [Shifting Sand].
But this isn't sothing they would have taught at the magic university.
Research for countering lded magic is still in its infancy…
I wonder if this is the first ti his quagmire has been countered?
I don't know what you were planning, but this is checkmate.
Of course, I don't believe you were plotting to kidnap Miko-sama.
Miko-sama truly treasured your friendship.
You were sincerely worried about Zenith, and asked for my help…
I understand that was all you wanted.
But, it can't be helped.
Because these are instructions directly from the Cardinal.
Regardless of the authenticity of the information, we have to follow our orders.
Only Dust was truly enraged, because he earnestly loves Miko-sama…
At the very least, your life won't be taken.
I give you my word.
To be labeled by the Cardinal as a heretic and only deprived of your hands is an incredibly lenient judgnt.
Therefore, we aren't even using poisoned swords.
It's all right, Rudeus-kun.
Although you are still young, don't you have a good bride?
With Eris supporting you, you'll be able to survive even without hands.
Moreover, you're even the Dragon God's subordinate.
I heard about it when I was a child, the Dragon Tribe has a mysterious power.
By so chance, it might be able to break our seal.
You can live out the rest of your life in a place our eyes cannot reach.
And, as for Zenith, I'll manage sohow.
But even though I told you that…
"--Resist the [Dense Fog]."
Cortege's voice brought back out of my thoughts.
At the sa ti, I suddenly had a sense of discomfort.
… Sothing's strange.
What is it?
Nothing has happened.
That's it. After creating the dense fog, Rudeus hasn't moved an inch.
Will he try to escape? Or continue to fight?
However, even if I can't see more than a ter ahead, I should still be able to hear him.
After the initial [Electric], there was nothing.
Has he already escaped?
A [Quagmire], followed by [Dense Fog] and then [Electric] certainly stopped our advance.
Using so many different magics, but it's already too--
"--[Wind Blast]!"
The wind magic cleared the fog in an instant.
"…"
"…"
"…… Eh?"
I can hardly believe my eyes.
After the fog lifted, Rudeus was gone.
All that was left was a torn, crumpled scroll.
And a huge… rock?
A statue?
Armor?
"… Summoning magic?"
I muttered those words to myself… Then, in the next mont…
The huge armor began to move.
This is beyond imagination, huge. It was moving at a trendous speed.
Part 4
--- Rudeus' Perspective ---
I may have been at a disadvantage, but it's ti to take the kid gloves off.
The fog is rapidly clearing.
Those guys are dumbfounded, they weren't prepared for this.
While opening my foresight eye I confird the positions of the guys with the barriers, one shot, two shots, three shots.
I easily penetrated their defenses.
Then smashed them with the MK-I's shield.
Of course, I went easy on them.
I only knocked them out.
They probably aren't dead.
At the sa ti I took another three down with the Gatling gun.
I swung my left arm in a wide arc.
There was a sound like a loud hum as my Gatling gun spat out a stream of rock bullets.
The three folded like twigs as my rock bullets crushed their shins.
I took care not to blow their legs off.
I also avoided their vitals, they shouldn't be dead, just stunned.
But, just in case, I nailed each of them in the head with another rock bullet to make sure they were out cold.
Two left.
I took a step back before turning around, like Orsted taught to.
If an enemy attacks from behind, you have to use quick footwork to avoid them.
I didn't feel an attack coming, but it was just to make sure.
When I turned around, Therese was in front of .
Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was hanging open, watching .
The one next to her started to unsheathe his sword to defend her.
But, too late.
You're too slow.
If it had been Eris, she would have cut him down ten tis before he had drawn his sword.
With the MK-I I can easily deal with this level of speed.
These guys can't compare to my training.
Before he could unsheathe his sword, I swatted him away with my fist.
He was blown away before he could make a sound, and crashed into the wall of the headquarters, stunned.
Therese was still standing there with a frozen look of amazent.
She had a face as if she had no idea what had happened.
"W-, what…"
To her, I gave my minimum considerations, and knocked her out with a rock bullet rather than my fist.
Done.
After all, the MK-I can only be described as overwhelming.
I was able to finish off my opponents before they had a single opportunity to attack, and unceremoniously broke through all of their defenses.
I wonder if I'm being immature?
Therese, and the other Temple Knights, were scattered on the ground around .
Nobody died.
Unless I find one of Hitogami's apostles, I'd like to avoid killing as much as possible.
That's my rule.
I was able to afford it this ti.
"Haah~… I feel refreshed."
Recently, perhaps because I've had so much frustration accumulating, that was awfully refreshing.
After all, it's no good if you don't go on a rampage once in awhile.
At least according to Eris…
No, that's too violent.
However, what should I do now?
After all this, the Temple Knights will undoubtedly turn into my enemy.
To begin with, who was I betrayed by?
The only ones who knew about the kidnapping idea were , Aisha, Gisu… also Cliff and the Pope?
What about that girl in Cliff's house?
First of all, it absolutely wasn't Aisha.
If she wanted to betray , she wouldn't need to do such a thing.
It would be sothing like [Oniichan, give a piggyback ride!] and then, while I was enjoying the feeling of her breasts on my back… she'd slit my throat.
Or she could just mix so poison into my drink.
Cliff and Gisu are also unlikely.
They're in similar positions.
They wouldn't need to use such a roundabout way to get rid of when my back is exposed.
Then, is it the Pope?
Would the Pope try to kill off with this timing?
What would he gain?
No, maybe it's the opposite.
Perhaps he simply wanted to remove a few Temple Knights from the board.
From the Pope's perspective, even though I gave him my support, I never actually did anything to support him.
Perhaps this was his plan to put to use.
And then, while I stall her escorts, the Pope has the perfect opportunity to kidnap the Miko…
Wait wait.
Therese said that the information ca from a credible source.
For her, would the Pope be a trustworthy source?
The Pope is her enemy.
Above anyone else, wouldn't he be an untrustworthy source?
In the first place, there's also the possibility that accusing of plotting to kidnap the Miko is just a coincidence.
Although there's a grain of truth, soone could have just made it up.
Wait.
Rather than thinking this is an accident, I should consider Hitogami's involvent.
Once again, it's possible that one of Hitogami's apostles is lurking behind the scenes.
Yeah, compared to a betrayal, it seems likely that guy was involved.
What is Hitogami's intent?
I can't see the future, I have no idea.
Everything bad happens because of that guy.
"…"
I have no idea who the culprit is.
Thinking about it is useless.
I have more imdiate problems.
The problem is determining who my enemies are.
Currently, I don't know what has happened to the Miko.
But the Temple Knights guarding her are already in this state…
From this, I can assu the Cardinal's faction will start moving against .
First of all, they tried to arrest for attempting to kidnap the Miko.
From here on out, they'll probably go after Cliff who brought here, and Cliff's grandfather the Pope.
Ara?
I guess that ans this wasn't the Pope's plan?
Uugh, it's troubleso to even co up with potential culprits.
What should I do…
What can I do…
I could gather everyone and escape from the capital?
No, what about Zenith?
I can't leave without Zenith.
I need to go to the Latreia house and rescue Zenith…
But, what if she isn't there?
If they're carrying out this kind of strategy, wouldn't they move Zenith to another location?
Still, do I just keep fighting with these knights until Milis is destroyed?
That seems like sothing Hitogami would want.
h.
Still…
I could do it…
For the ti being, I'll evacuate Aisha, Cliff, and Gisu.
Then I'll go to the Latreia house to rescue Zenith.
If that doesn't work, I can always go up to the palace and capture one of the royal family to use in a hostage exchange.
That could also work.
It's all good.
I'm tired of thinking.
"… Ah."
Suddenly, a voice.
Soone looking out from the edge of the garden warped by my quagmire…
In front of a door in the headquarters that could only be unlocked with a special key, a lone girl stood.
Standing there, key in hand.
Alone.
"…"
It felt like she was looking into my eyes.
I tried to look away, but it was too late.
She had a look like she saw through , and smiled.
Then opened her arms towards .
I recognize that gesture…
It may have been intuition…
It was a split-second decision…
I kidnapped the Miko.
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