(Three ...... four--no, you're more than that.)

　There are two signs that can be felt just above the carriage.
　But there are more signs that can be felt in the crowd.
　The timing, and above all the murderous intent poured into the carriage, was undoubtedly aimed at Aena.
　I'm not sure if she was the original target, or if they decided to target her for some reason.
　But it doesn't change what I have to do.

(I'm the one who can protect her without a sword...)

　At about the same time, he unleashes the Invisible, a blade of wind made up of magical power.
　The purpose is to wound the people on the carriage and block their movement.
　But...

(...... dodged. You're fast.)

　The two people on top of the carriage react to my sword strike.
　At the very least, my sword strike is not something that can be dodged overnight.
　And it's a blow that I fired from inside the carriage. If you can dodge it, it means that the two people who came for Aena are quite skilled.
　You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
That was my attack, sir.
"Sh, Schweizer, first officer ......!
I'm sending out a general order. We've got a few assassins in the crowd. The signal is yellow.
Yes, sir!

　As soon as the knights are ready, I turn back to Aena.

"Well, Miss Aena. Over here.
...... If you're giving the orders, then you must be...
We'll talk about this later. The enemy seems to be of considerable power. I'll give priority to your protection.

　Saying that, I take Aena's hand.
　But she gently shook my hand away and smiled.

"Huh, you want me to back off? I'm not.
...... Because the situation is what it is. There are two enemies close by. There are still people evacuating the area.
Don't be stupid. You don't think I'm capable of fighting something like that?

　As Aena replied to my words, I felt a strong magic power from outside. At about the same time, a roar rang out from outside the carriage.
　It was water created by magic - it was released at the assassin who had just dodged my attack, and the two of them dodged it again.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help. ...... This is the magic that Aena cast.

I know how many enemies there are. I'm sure you're pretty good at it, but ...... not good enough to kill me.

　I'm sure you're pretty good at it, but not good enough to kill me.

You're a knight.
If you are a knight, you should be aware of the people around you. You don't need a bodyguard for something like this. Now, I'm here!　If you want the head of this Aena Baudel, you can come at me from anywhere!

　With that, he took out the rapier on his waist.
　The rapier has a light blue blade, and water petals dance around it. ...... Aena's specialty is water magic.

(More importantly, I'm surprised she came forward on her own. ......)

　Aena's actions were probably in line with her words to me.
　If you're dealing with someone of this caliber, don't protect her, protect the people around her.
　Despite Aena's attitude, I can see that she is genuinely concerned about the people around her.
　Perhaps she has a more troublesome personality than Iris. ...... That's how I felt about her.

("Worry about the people around you.")

　I let out a small breath and stand next to her.
　Aena didn't look at me.

What are you doing? You don't need a guard.
I have something to say. Protecting you is the best way to protect the people around you, and it's not that difficult to protect others while protecting you. In fact, take it easy on yourself.
...... "Haha, you say. Then show it to me!

　At the same time, Aena and I started to move.
　Immediately after, a signal round is fired high into the sky.
We're under attack! This is used to say, "Secure the safety of the people around you.
　I sit on the carriage and check the situation around me.
　Even the people around me who were upset understood that something had happened by the signal shot.
　Immediately, the knights guarding the carriage shouted and began to guide them.
　The two that Aena had pursued split off to the left and right and were looking at us.
　In addition to their abilities, these two men may also serve to distract attention from the assassins that are mixed in the vicinity.

(Stay close ......, you know my timing well. In this case, it's easiest for me to stay close to Aena. ......)


Alta Schweizer. You take the right. I'll take the left.

　There's no way Aena's going to get that.
　At least, judging by the height of the two assassins, we're not in a situation I'm worried about. However, there is something that worries me.

"Miss Aena, your opinion.
......, I was just about to make a move. I was just about to make a move. There's not much in the Empire that could stop me.

　I somehow understand how the Imperials feel, but I also have things to do as an escort.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. Iris-sama will come back as soon as she sees the signal bullet. There aren't many of them. ...... There are probably two of them who are capable.
You think ...... a standoff is best?
Good.
What's best?
The best thing would be for Iris to fight one of them at this time.

　At the very least, Iris won't fall behind even if she can dodge my Invisible. In my own way, I'm putting my trust in Iris for this escort mission.
　Aena's readiness to fight has not changed. It looked like she was about to make a move, but after a moment of silence.

...... I agree with you. I'll take your word for it.
Thank you.　Thank you very much.

　...... I can't say I was surprised, but Aena accepted my opinion. No, she is also a soldier, albeit a young one, with rank. If she had subordinates, she would naturally be in charge of the chain of command.
　If you look at the situation, you can at least judge whether you should move now or not. ...... If it were just her, for example, she would definitely be running for the fight.

(Now all that remains to be seen is how the other side will move. ...... Hmm?)

　I saw the two assassins retreating.
　They may have assessed the situation in this short time and turned to retreat.

(If they were assassins, they could have run away when they failed, but they didn't run away right away, they did it now. (If you are an assassin, you could have thought of running away when you failed, but you didn't run away right away.)

　In this case, it would be more effective for me and Aena to go after one of them first. I'd like to leave the other one to Iris, but there's no sign that she and Mercier are coming back together - the knight's orders have been given, and people are getting out of here, despite the unrest.

(If they don't come back, there's ...... no choice.)

"Master Aena.
We'll both do one of two things: ...... Is that your plan?
That's your plan?　Yes, that's my plan.
You and I are kindred spirits. But Iris and Mercier haven't come back. My man, Mercier, is no stranger to these guys, but ...... he has no choice. We'll split up.
No, that's ......
I know - I'm not going to move far from here. If they're after me, they might move if I'm alone. Aim there.

　...... So, Aena lures the enemy out and I kill it.
　I just showed you a sword fight, but I never thought I would be entrusted with that much.

(Haha, I shouldn't have said anything too big.)
What's your answer?　No, next time don't ask, just move.
Yes, sir. Let's start the joint operation.

　The battle against the ...... assassins began, albeit unexpectedly, with me and Aena.