A large inn in the "Commercial District" that would be used by guests of the Order.
　The children from Lily and George's orphanage were to stay here until they found their destination.
　Currently, the children are in the middle of playing sports in the training square at the inn.

.............

　Sitting in the corner of the square, Leo watched the frolicking children with a dark look on his face.
　The expression on Killier's face as he left was burned into Leo's mind and never left.
　The look on her face as she called her own name was a pained expression, as if she was pushing something away.

　What Kier and Marcus do is a political marriage.
　The goal would be to solidify the status of the Order and the Knights and each other.
　I know from the beginning that Kirier does not want that political marriage to take place.

"...... For my sake.

　I don't want that.

If it's ......, then what am I for?

　How can I make Kirie happy?
　What should I do?
　Leo bit his teeth at his inability to step forward.

'What's wrong with you, knight brother?'
You don't look too good today, do you?

　I noticed that several children were peering at Leo with worried expressions on their faces.
　Leo frequented the inn because he was worried about the children who suddenly had to leave the orphanage.
　Leo chuckled so that the children couldn't see him, wondering what he would do if they were so worried about him.

'It's ...... okay. It's nothing.

　Leo replied with a smile at the children who were peeking at him.
　He shook his head lightly and switched his thoughts.
　Even though he wasn't at work right now, he couldn't be dumbfounded.

　Marcus nailed it, but there's no option such as quitting halfway through.
　Since he became a saintly knight, he has to protect the people.
　Of course, that includes children.
　At the very least, I must cover them well until they can find a place to stay.

...... hmm?

　At that moment, Leo felt a faint wave of magic from nearby, and he turned his gaze in that direction.
　One girl was emitting small flames from her palm.

"'Flame Bullet'?"

　Leo stood up and spoke to the girl who had used magic.
　The girl nodded, chanted again, and fired a "fireball" at the wall.

It's great, Michelle. When I was your age, I couldn't use magic properly.

　Her name is Michelle.
　She was the girl who escaped from that orphanage and told the Cathedral Knights of the misdeeds of Lily and the others.
　I had met her several times when I was investigating the orphanage under the previous captain's orders, but the current Michelle looks a lot calmer than she did back then.

'You've been training in magic ever since you came to this inn.
Yes. I have to be strong.

　With a look of strong will on her face, Michelle clenched her small fists.

'I don't want to just be ...... protected anymore.
Okay.

　Nodding, Leo fired a flaming shot at the wall.
　Michelle gulped a small gasp as she looked at the large mass of flame.

It's not a good idea to use it. The image of magic is vague, although it's partly because you haven't adjusted the magic power you use.
For witchcraft, the image ......?
'Yeah. You have to have a clear picture of what kind of magic you're going to use. It's going to be less effective.
...... Yes.

　Michelle closed her eyes and let out a small breath.
　Then he chanted slowly and released the "flamethrower".
　The size of the flames emitted is incomparably larger than anything that has come before.

"You're done!
Yeah, ......!

　There aren't many people who can do that immediately after being told to image.
　Michelle, who absorbed the advice easily, probably has a talent for magic.
　'She'll be a good user,' said Leo, his cheeks relaxing.

'...... is...'

　And that smile quickly turned to self-mockery.

(Clear image, huh?)

　I don't have the right to advise you in the present.
　I came here today largely as an escape.

(A wretched man, I am.)

　Then Leo watched the child for a while, and then left the inn.

◆

　The sun sets and the children leave the training grounds and go into the inn.
　Then they ate dinner, took a bath, and went back to their rooms.
　After making sure the children were completely asleep, Michelle went back to her room.

'I think they're all tired and asleep.'
Okay. Michelle, good job.
"Hm.

　Sitting down in the chair, Michelle looks through the book.
　It's a book on witchcraft that was left at the inn.
　It's a book for intermediate students, but Michelle chews through its contents in her own way, writing down the main points on a piece of paper that is unnecessary.
　The advice from Leo is also well put together.

'You're enthusiastic, Michelle. Do you want to be able to use Nantka magic?
...... mental magic.
Yeah, that's it.
...... because it's the magic that someone I admire used to use.
"Heh. ......

　In order to reach the magic of imagination, there must be enough images to give it form.
　I have an image.
　You're going to be able to get the best out of it.

...... one day I'll show you what I'm like.

　Right after I muttered that little thing in my mouth.

'......?'

　On the edge of my vision, I felt something glow outside the window.
　I checked and looked, but the only thing outside was the nighttime darkness?

'What's wrong?'
...... Nothing.

　Regaining her mind, Michelle continued to study her magic.

◆

　Three men lie unconscious at my feet.
　They were a suspicious bunch, dressed in black and carrying swords hidden in the dark of night.
　These guys were trying to sneak into the orphanage under the cover of night darkness.
　They struck there with me and Elfi and brought them to an unpopular back alley.

'Mu......gu'
............

　The men, bound hand and foot, are lying on the ground with limp expressions on their faces.
　They are exhausted of their physical and magical power.

　Since the incident at the orphanage, I've warned Michelle and Sheena not to go outside the inn.
　This is the headquarters of the Cathedral Order. If you're not careful, there's a good chance that Marcus' handlers will take you away.
　He must have grown numb to the fact that Michelle and the others didn't go out for any length of time and tried to take them directly from this inn.

"You were ordered by Marcus to attack Michelle and her friends. Is that correct?
Yes, it is: ......!

　At first, the men kept their mouths shut, but now they answer honestly.
　They are very soft-spoken.
　I was just asking them, one finger bone at a time, as they broke their fingers.

　It seems that these men were ordered by Marcus to kidnap Michelle and Sheena.
　After kidnapping them, with the words 'do whatever you want'.

　It seems that the kidnappings that have been happening continuously in the city are also the work of these guys.
　The targets of the kidnappings seem to be people who get in the way of Marx and sub-humans in the Holy City.
　After they kidnapped them, they were apparently taking them to an orphanage or to Marx, or doing whatever they wanted (・・・・・・) on their own.

'You were right to keep an eye on them,'

　I knew they were coming to take care of Michelle and the others.
　There was no way Marx was going to let his witnesses go free.

'Well,'

　He forces one of the fallen men up and puts his hand on its head.
　The man is pale, wondering what they're going to do to him.

'You're going to do that thing (...) again?'
''Yeah. I went to the trouble of draining your strength and magic for that, you know.

　Looking into the man's eyes, I clearly visualize what I'm going to carve into this guy's head and send it to my brain as magic power.
　The man who has exhausted his magic power is unable to resist the magic flowing into his head.

"It's quite a difficult magic to use if you don't exhaust your magic power every single time.

　Brainwashing magic is used in imitation of Olivia, but the conditions are moderately troublesome.
　In order to succeed in brainwashing, you need to weaken your opponent to the point that they can't resist.
　The brainwashing will fail if they resist even a little.
　And it takes time to get the brainwashing message into the brain of the opponent.
　You can shorten it by using some kind of magic item, but Elfi is right, it's a completely difficult magic.

　Eventually enough magic power is poured into it.

"It's a phase order."

　The chanting is performed and the brainwashing magic is complete.
　This procedure is performed on the remaining two.
　The three of them are in a state of brainwashing, staring at the void with a stunned expression.

　The preparations have been completed.
　Now, at least for a few hours, Michelle and the others won't be attacked.

'We'll use these guys. We'll settle this before the end of the night.
Okay. But, Iori, before we go, can we take a quick detour?
A detour?

　That's unusual.
　I can't believe Elfie would say that.

"I'm a little frustrated with a couple of things. I can't stand it, so come along for a bit.
'......?　All right.

　Then he and Elfie 'stopped' and then headed to Marx's mansion.