Looking out at the distant shadows of the city, Brett bit down on his lip.
　It's frustrating and frustrating.

　I know why I have to be here, and I won't argue with that.
　But this is this and this is that.
　Although the information kept coming in, that's why it was even more frustrating to be able to do nothing.

It seems we've managed to catch the First Knight Commander of the Order. I've been informed that he's on his way to the location.
...... At any rate, the second stage is a success. Well, I've gone to the trouble of using the archbishop, so it should be a success. But the real work is yet to come: ......

　The most important thing to keep in mind for the success of this operation is that the Knight Commander of the First Order must not be set free.
　You have to be careful not to let the Knight Commander of the First Order go free, because as soon as you let him go, it's almost certain to fail.

　Edward Gautogordo, the Knight Commander of the First Order, is a bundle of unreasonableness.
　Although the general is mostly unreasonable, he's still no match for Edward.
　Edward's gift nullifies his opponent's gift, no questions asked.

　--The Disaster.
　It's one of the worst gifts Brett has ever known, even though its range is about a meter around him.

　The reason it is the worst is that it nullifies not only the gift, but also all phenomena and actions involving the gift.
　For example, if you use the Strength gift to deliver a slash at Edward, the slash itself (・・・・・・) will be nullified.
　In other words, if the slash struck a living body, Edward would not be injured at all.

　Arrows flying through the air would fall to the ground without reaching Edward in the first place, and magic would dissipate the moment it approached the area of effect.
　Moreover, the same goes for attacks brought about indirectly by them.

　A rock dropped by an arrow cutting a trap will only shatter, and even if the ground is magically cracked, Edward will still walk on the empty space as if the crack did not exist.
　It doesn't matter how many tricks it went through, if the attack involved any gifts at all, Edward would nullify them all.

　If we don't call this unreasonable, what can we call it?

　Moreover, most people who fight as soldiers basically have gifts that help them in some way in battle.
　Because they train on it as an advantage, they use it almost subconsciously in battle, and this is no different in any country.

　In other words, Edward is virtually invincible on the battlefield.

　By the way, Edward's level is 10.
　He has the highest ability of mankind, regardless of gifts, and such a thing will rampage unilaterally at will.
　It must be a nightmare for the enemy.

　The reason why the first knight group is made up of the elite is because Edward is the leader of the knight group after all.
　It's not that it was decided from the beginning, but it was a natural progression because if they weren't elite, they couldn't make it in the unit with Edward as head of the order.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
　You'll be able to see how Edward's gift works against them, but you should take care of it just in case.

　It is simply a threat to their fighting ability.
　It's only natural to think that you have to do something first.

If you guys could do something about it, we would have talked about it sooner.
"I'm sorry about ....... I didn't think it was possible to assassinate them.
Well, if you could, you'd have taken care of it yourselves in the first place. Of course, we would have been the first ones to do it then.

　Brett sniffs at the silent one, as if he's on target.
　It's a real b*tc* to have to work with these guys.

　I know it's inevitable, but...

...... But we can't do anything about it, but I'm sure he will.
"Humph, of course. Who are you talking to?　You can be flattered that you're the strongest in the kingdom, but that's about it. It's certainly tricky if they move freely, but as long as you take the right measures, it's not a problem.

　Nevertheless, even though I wholeheartedly agree, it is true that I have a hint of anxiety.
　That's also why Brett is feeling frustrated and frustrated.

　Even though he's been preparing for this for some time, it's too hasty.
　It's no wonder that something unexpected could easily fall apart in the mix.

　But that didn't mean we couldn't take our time.
　Even though I knew it was better, the probability of failure would increase if that happened.

　It's not about being noticed by the kingdom or anything like that.
　It's because that's how (・・・・・) this world is (・・・・・・) made (・・・・・).

　--And at that moment, a report that could be called the very symbol of that came up.

Dear Mr. Brett, it's happening.
Ha! ...... is the place to be. It's a good thing that you're a brave man. ...... It's really a brave man...

　Muttering abominably, but still a smile on Brett's lips.
　This is what was expected.
　Then there's no reason why there isn't a plan to deal with it.

　But.

Hey, are you okay?
...... of course. That d*mned bastard will finally die by our hand today. There is no mistaking it.
"Humph. ...... I see.

　Brett didn't believe it, but it's true that it would have to happen.
　And if it's as I've heard, today is definitely the anniversary of his death.

　But even though he thought so, for some reason Brett couldn't help but have a bad feeling about it.
　This is the same kind of feeling I had when I saw the report the other day.

　A man who had been with the saint.
　The same kind of feeling I had when I saw those words--the same kind of feeling I had the other day when I saw the report.

"...... tsk.

　But it must be my imagination, and I click my tongue in frustration.

　Yes, it's just my imagination.
　It was all in my imagination, including the fact that it was that bastard (・・・・・・・) that came to mind at that moment.



　Besides, the fact that the thing has shown up means that it's time for you to go.
　There is no time to think about anything else.

　But even as he thought about this, Brett narrowed his eyes in the direction of the city, as if to hide his anxiety.






　As soon as he stepped in, he noticed that the city was strangely noisy.
　Moreover, the noise is somehow unpleasant.

I'm not sure if I've ever heard of a mistake in timing.　I thought this was the best place to be for whatever reason: ......

　Scratching his head and looking around, Akira muttered an expletive.

　But there's nothing to be done by saying that.
　I had no choice but to walk on.

　And then he turned around.

"Hey, follow me, okay?　As you can see, there are so many people, it's ridiculous. What are you doing in a daze and getting lost?
"......!

　With those words, a small figure behind me clung to my leg.
　It stuck close, as if to say it would never let go.

　You can feel the gaze of those around you and let out a sigh at the warmth.

...... I just said I'd get lost, didn't I say I'd get lost and leave you?　d*mn, it's hard to walk.
"......?

　The fact that it was difficult to walk was a fact, so I forcefully pulled away ...... lost for a few moments and then grabbed its hand.

......!

　Immediately a smile appeared on your face as you were about to cry, and the warmth of the gazes from your surroundings increased.
　I can't help but wonder what you are doing, but it can't be helped.
　It's my responsibility and my nature to be like this.

　I snapped out of it and just walked away.

"Well, it's still a noisy city: ......

　He didn't hate those cities, but he wasn't in the mood now.
　The reason I came to the capital in the first place was to find a place to take this child.

　Akira still thinks of himself as a child.
　I don't know how it is in this world, but at least in his own sense he is still a child.
　I don't think I can do such a noble thing as taking someone else's life on my own, even if I'm just going to freak out on my own.

　Above all, I am aware that I am not a respectable person who can raise children or set an example.
　I didn't want to throw her away after I took her in, but if there is someone who is worthy of her, I think she should be left with them.

　And, well, ...... if you feel that you have become more respectable than you are now, you can pick them up again.

　It's a good thing that you've come to this city for that reason.

"The orphanages I've seen so far are crappy places. I'm sure there are decent places in the royal capital: ......

　While muttering about this, Akira looked around, changing paths on a whim as if there was no destination in mind as he moved through the city.

　Although Akira has lived in the royal capital for a while, he is not particularly familiar with it.
　So there's no point in being unsure of your footsteps.

　--You're right.
　Is there really no purpose there, that's another story.

Well, ......

　With that murmur, Akira stopped in his tracks.
　It was a secluded place in a back alley, a place where one would think that people from the city would rarely come.
　At least it's definitely not a place to bring a child.

　But.

"How much longer are we going to continue playing hide-and-seek?　Or do you want me to catch you properly?　I don't mind that. ...... You can't complain about losing an arm or a leg, though, can you?
"...... is very well known.

　With the words, a strange figure of an all-black figure landed behind Akira.

　And there were three of them.
　From the voice, you can tell that one of them is a man, but nothing else is clear.
　Combined with the situation, there was even a strange sense of intimidation in the air.

　However, Akira looked back at him comfortably and shrugged his shoulders, also comfortably.

"What's that, are you serious?　How can you not notice it when it's so full of life?　And if you've been following me for six months, even an idiot would notice.
"...... Okay. That's a good question. Then I'll let you die, brave man.
"It's easy to understand, but ......, do you think you can kill me with that much?

　It's not bullshit, it's just a fact.
　Even if there were ten of them in front of him, Akira would still win unscathed.

　Of course, that was after considering this situation.

It's true that we won't be able to beat you. But that's if you're alone.
"Hmph, you want to go after this guy?　Well, it's only logical that we do.

　You look for a moment at the child who is sheltering and clinging behind you, but you still seem at ease and shrug again.
　It's natural that this is part of the process.

　But.

"Huh. ...... I think you're mistaken about something.
"Ah?
It was the next best thing. I didn't think I would fail to kill you, but it was still an insurance policy in case the dragon failed to kill you.
So what the hell are you guys--
The first time I saw it, I thought it was going to be you. ...... I didn't think it was possible to regenerate a limb. I've been missing out on some timing because of that. ...... Well, in a way, it's a good fit. And under the circumstances, you can't get away with it.


"...... Hey, no way, you guys
The child has been inscribed with the art of self-destruction, fueled by life. You may be able to withstand the direct hit ...... or you may still be able to save the child's life. ...... that's a brave man.
"Huh, you can go to ......!

　Even so, Akira has been through a fair amount of shenanigans.
　That was enough for me to grasp the situation.

　But even though he shouted and planned to leave the scene immediately, it was already too late.
　The men were finishing their preparations.

"Phew! Farewell to ......--the d*mned hero!

　Immediately after the words, a huge fireball loomed toward Akira and the others.
　It was easy to prevent or intercept it, but Akira just turned his back to it and hugged its body tightly, ignoring the child who was looking at him pleadingly.

　What could be heard from behind was some unintelligible, incantatory words.
　And then .
　A roar echoed through the place.