It was a while after Iris had gone to buy a drink that I received the call. One of the knights who had been on alert in the area came to take Iris' place.
　The knight led me to an abandoned house along the coast.
　It is said to have been used as a warehouse in the past, but no one has been coming in or out for a long time now.
　In that abandoned house, there was a body.

Where is she?
"She was a famous fortune teller in town, Nowe Leshin," he confirmed. She hadn't been seen in a while. ......
"I see.

　Her name was Nowe Racine. A blow to the shoulder and chest, no sign of resistance.
　There were no other noticeable injuries, and I knew immediately that Nowe had been killed by a frontal slash. ...... And more importantly, such beautiful swordsmanship makes you understand that the person who slashed her was a very skilled swordsman.
We know that the Swordsmen are hiding in the vicinity of this town. The killer is probably one of them.

"A blow from the front. That's strong.
"Hey, you ......!　How did you get in here?

　The knight shouted in surprise. It was Aria.
　I stopped the knight with my hand and stood in front of Aria.

I told you to wait for me on the beach. I told you to wait on the beach. It's not something a child should see.
"You're a child, Dr. Alta. And I'm used to seeing things like this. Maybe you shouldn't hide it anymore.
Tell the other knights to be on the lookout. And I'll take care of this. I'll move in.
Yes, sir!

　After my words, the knight left the scene. I left the abandoned house.
　The aria follows, and I let out a small sigh.

I understand. I know you're going to look into this on your own. Besides, you could have done it if you wanted to.
"Yes, I could have done that.

　The reason Aria didn't do so was, as she had said earlier, that she trusted me. In response to this feeling, I would have ended this extracurricular lesson as if nothing had happened. ...... She now seems to have a stronger desire to learn about the current situation.

You remember the Swordsmen, don't you?　You remember the Swordsmen? They are the organization that was contracted to kill Iris.
Yes!　Those assassins, right? You're sure they're here?
Yes, there is one person confirmed to be ...... currently hiding out in this town. However, we already know his name and some of his characteristics. As you may have noticed, we have already deployed more than a dozen knights. The reason they haven't tried to attack us is because they know that we are very cautious.

　The Swordsmen may be what is called a battle-hungry organization, but they are not the kind of people who take on battles they cannot win. I'm sure Adil Gratz, the head of the group, didn't think he was going to lose in the slightest when he fought me.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.　Then you should tell Iris.
If they were after you, of course I would have told you. But not this time.
...... Does that mean that the target is the teacher?

　I haven't gotten to the point yet, but Aria is a very perceptive girl.
　She must have understood the situation from my attitude and conversation. There's a possibility that the swordsmen will come here and set up a trap. And if it's not Iris they're after, then it's me they're after.
　When I nodded to Aria's words, she wrinkled her brow in anger.

When I nodded to Aria, she wrinkled her brow somewhat angrily, "If that's the case, you should have told me sooner.
"Haha, that's not really something to talk about...
"It's not funny. It's not funny. They're after you, the enemy is coming. Then you should turn to me for help.

　Aria says this with pride. She continued with a gesture of checking her surroundings.

I can find out where the enemy is. I can find out where the enemy is. Even if we get into an engagement, there's a chance we can do something. I can give you all the information you need.
Aria, I appreciate the sentiment, but...
It's not fair that you help me and I don't help you. Even if the teacher doesn't want to help me, I can help the teacher myself.

　I can help you if you don't want me to. ...... It sounded like a threat in a way. Aria can do it - something I understand very well.
　To put it simply, Aria will do her own research and provide me with information even if I don't ask for her help.
　If that's the case, then it's better to cooperate after all - that's what she wants me to say.

The enemy is the Swordsmen. You engaged them once, didn't you, Aria?
Yes. I can fight.



　When I asked for confirmation, Aria replied in no uncertain terms. I shrugged and nodded in agreement.
　I shrugged my shoulders, but still nodded in agreement with Aria's determination.

...... I understand. But I'm not going to ask you to investigate on your own. You have to follow my instructions--that's the deal. Don't get involved in anything dangerous or go anywhere you feel unsafe. If you can do that, you can help me.
"Okay. I'm not like Iris.

　I'm not like Iris," Aria said, referring to Iris, "but to me, we're not so different. She's the type of person who would give up her life if she decided to work for someone else.
　It's great that he can do that at such a young age, but it's also worrisome. ...... So it would be best to keep him by my side as a means of surveillance.

...... By the way, I had asked Iris to stay by the shore to wait for me to return. She went to get a drink, didn't she?
"She didn't come back, so I came to the doctor. I thought she might have seen him coming.
I see. Well, let's go get Iris first. Since there was a problem in this area, it would be dangerous to leave her alone. Aria, please keep a low profile along the coast. If anything happens, report to me immediately.
"All right. Are you going to tell Iris about this?

　Aria asks. ...... Aria herself is worried about me, but informing Iris about this is a different story.

No, I'm not going to inform Iris - I'm sure you feel the same way, don't you?
"...... Yeah. When Iris finds out about something like this, she'll do something dangerous.
Is that what you're saying, Aria? As usual, they are difficult children.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　The swordsmen are starting to move, and it looks like we need to start moving too.