The report of a suspicious person was received shortly after Edward had gone out of the castle to join the search party.

　Edward headed to an alleyway not far from the castle, scoffing to himself that maybe this was just a hassle.
　The first thing in sight are the knights, surrounded by three of them, standing around someone.

　I didn't know what kind of person he was because he was wearing a black robe that hid his entire body.
　This is another obvious suspicious person, you think with a wry smile as you walk towards it.

"Good work, guys.
Yeah, we were just doing our duty. But more importantly, I'm sorry that you took the time to come to the Commander's office.
"That's fine, but ...... certainly makes me wonder why you bothered to call me here in the first place. There's no point in hanging around here in the first place.

　Yes, Edward had come here because he had been called to the location with a report of a suspicious person's discovery.

　But, of course, this is not something that usually happens.
　It's not that they're not particularly violent, even if the person they're dealing with is so skilled that only Edward could seize them.

　And it is certain to be overtly suspicious.
　There was no reason to stay here, if not to take them to the garrison, at least there was no reason to stay.

That's why ...... we tried to do that too, but we told you to call the commander first. ......
"...... Hmm?

　I don't know what a suspicious person would call me, but I also don't know what it means to follow it obediently.
　The situation is what it is.
　I don't think there's any point in asking: .......

"Well, I'm sorry. I was the one who suggested that we should call the Commander.

　This is what the youngest of the three said was the youngest man.
　I'm sure he would have turned 30 years old this year even though he is young ...... and his fearless face is turned towards you.

In fact, the voice sounded familiar when she said that. It's a good idea to call the Commander in Chief rather than do something poorly.
"Hmm. ......

　These three are actually members of the First Order, who are also under Edward's command.

　And the First Order is a unit made up of only the most elite of the Order.
　The people assigned to it are exceptionally talented and have been trained by Edward himself.
　I'm proud to say that the word "elite" is not a lie.

　Due to their limited numbers, Edward remembers each and every one of them by face and name, and of course these three are no different.
　They are not flashy, but they are good at being solid, and it's hard to believe that they would misjudge on this level.

　In fact, these dubious characters are likely to be the ones that the leader of the order might want to take action against.
　It's not a general, but...

"......, okay, for now. Well, we'll find out soon enough whether we made the right decision or not.

　Then Edward looked again at the suspicious person.
　It doesn't look like such a person, but we're about to find out.

　But.

I see that ...... has helped him decide. There would have been a lot of trouble if he had taken me there no questions asked.
......!"?

　For a moment Edward gasped because the voice sounded familiar to him.
　And certainly, if it's that person (・・・・), you'll have to deal with it yourself.

　No way--!

"Dear Archbishop (...) ......!
"Phew! ...... is the right answer!

　Then he took off the hood of his robe, and out of it appeared an old man with white hair.

　But there's no mistaking his appearance.
　The number two and de facto plenipotentiary of the church.
　The archbishop himself.

Why would the archbishop be dressed like that in a place like this: ......?

　Even in normal times, if he was wandering around the alleyway dressed like this, he would try to get a story out of you.
　Considering the current situation, it was no surprise that he was taken away, no questions asked.

　But it would have been quite a hassle by then.
　Although the church exists in this country, it has many branches in other countries and has numerous followers around the world.
　They will not be silenced if they disrespect the church, and in fact, they once destroyed a small country because of it.

　Moreover, the church controls the gifts.
　All the priests belong to the church, and the church makes them do it.

　If you disobey the church, it means you won't get the gift in the future, and there is no way anyone would accept that.
　Fortunately, or perhaps I should say, because everyone involved in the church is a good person, there is no need to worry about .......

　I can't imagine what would happen if a member of the Order took such a person, who is almost at the top of the church, away without question.
　You can find out that the archbishop is definitely to blame for the situation: ...... I wonder if the church and its followers will be able to give him that kind of flexibility.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

I'm glad to see that you made the right decision. I don't have anything to say to you, including keeping you under surveillance. That's my kind of man.
"Ha, thank you ......!
Hmmm. ...... That's quite something. If I had made a wrong decision, we would have been in big trouble. ...... Your men are as good as ever.
"Dear Archbishop ......

　I turn my gaze as if to ask what the hell he's up to.

　It's hard to believe that a man who might be an archbishop doesn't understand the current situation.
　But then, it's not as if he didn't understand the intent of doing this.
　It seemed as if he was trying to frame us, and although I knew that was impossible, I couldn't help but stare at him.

Oh, scary, scary. Oh, you're scared.　I'm afraid my heart will stop beating.
"...... You have to be kidding. You're still so young.


"Ho-ho, now I'll stop teasing the young man. You know, I'm just bait. The last thing you want is to fall for it. But I didn't think that would be the case.
"...... Archbishop?

　Edward's eyebrows furrowed as the archbishop muttered some meaningful words.
　He reflexively reached for the sword at his hip because he had a bad feeling about it.

"That's why I told you not to look so scared.
At ......, why did you call me after all?　I'm sure you had something to do with it: ......
"Hmm ...... that's a good guess, but it's also wrong. I didn't come to you. Didn't I tell you?　I am only a bait. I'm just a tool to get you out of here.
"What?　Then who the hell is ......

　I don't think anyone could use the Archbishop on the chin for such a thing, but there was no reason for the Archbishop to lie here .
　Staring at his face, the archbishop turned away from Kururi on the spot.

If it bothers you, you can follow me. Yes, but not by yourself.　Well, I'm sure you don't have time to spare for this old man all the time.
If you know, I'd like you to take that into account from the beginning if you can: ...... Well, okay . So, I will now follow the Archbishop. I'm wondering who's calling me, and I'm not going to leave the Archbishop alone in the first place.
"...... Okay. Now, we will return to our normal duties.
Yeah, you're on it.
Yes. ...... Commander, good luck.
"I'm not going to go to fight, okay?

　He smiled at that, but he didn't mean it.
　Edward also didn't expect it to end without incident.

　Yesterday the general showed up and today the archbishop.
　Edward wasn't so optimistic as to think the two were unrelated.

　Nodding to his men, Edward begins to follow the archbishop as he walks off.
　Now, what exactly was in store for him, he wondered, squinting at his back.