Since then, Solstice, who was burned, managed to heal herself by casting a recovery spell on her own.

　With Iltimina-san carrying her sister, whose body and mind were exhausted, we left the forgotten sewers of the royal capital with the guards of the royal capital, Asbel-san and Garion-san, and the girls we rescued.

''.........''
..........

　During this time, Poe did not speak.

　She looked very tired, too, and looked like she was going to fall asleep as she walked.

　So now I'm holding her hand and walking like I'm leading her.

(............)

　That transformation didn't seem to have been witnessed by anyone but me and Mr. Illtimina.

　Everyone was down on the floor in preparation for the fire.

　Me and Solstice's bodies were in a blind spot.

　Maybe that's why.

　At least, Asbell-san and the others didn't say anything.

　Or, rather, Mr. Garion and others.

That little b*tc* is a piece of work.

　He seemed to think that it was Solstice's magic that played back the flames of that 'demonic creature'.

　...........

　But the truth is different.

　I stared at Poe's sleepy profile.



　I call out to him in my mind.

　His gaze is only vaguely forward.

　But the little palms that are linked together are so hot and juvenile that my fingers are filled with a little bit of strength.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　It was already midnight when we reached the ground.

　There were two beautiful red and white moons shining in the night sky.

　As it was, we were taken to the building known as the Royal Capital Guard Branch 4 by the Royal Capital Guards.

''This is the headquarters of the guards of this area.

　is what Dr. Illtimina said.

(I see.)

　In other words, it must be like a police station in a previous life.

　In a large room there, like a conference room, we were reunited with the 14 girls we had saved in that basement.

'Sisters!'
So you're both okay.
Good....

　Me and Solstice are surrounded by girls with tearful faces.

　I was a little surprised.

　But I was relieved.
　I had heard from Illtimina-san, but I was able to confirm that we were all safe on the ground and protected.

(Thank goodness.)

　I'm so happy for you.

　We all wanted everyone to be a lot happier from now on after such a hard time.

(...but...)

　Big sister, big sister.

　Merle, who is actually a boy, has a bit of a mixed feeling about being called that while being looked at with appreciation and respect.

　I made a vow to myself that I would never reveal his true identity.

　As I was doing so, I suddenly noticed a few dozen or so adults standing in the back of the room.

　Their faces somehow resembled those of the girls who had gathered there.

　Perhaps they were guardians.

　As our eyes met, they bowed deeply to us.

(...........)

　We are children, and they are adults.　

　Solstice and I, in our haste, bowed our heads back.

　One of the people gathered was Della.

　The girls went back to their respective parents.

　The five girls who had come with us also found their own parents and jumped into their chests, crying.

'Della mom!'
Mother!

　Ellie and Ramchit, too, were crying and hugging Della.

'Ellie, Ramchit, Poe!　I'm glad all three of you are safe.

　Della-san, with tears in her eyes, was also holding the two of us and Poe in her big hands, squeezing them together.

　Then, Della-san gave us a grateful look.

　In response, Asbel-san smiled and nodded widely.

　Garion-san turned away with a 'keke', but she sniffed a little.

　'Poof, poof.'

　Iltimina's white hand was placed on the small shoulders of me and Soltis.

'Merle, Sol, you both did really well.
..........
..........
The only reason those kids and their families have been able to smile is because of your hard work, isn't it?

　A gentle smile and words of exertion.

　Me and Solstice couldn't help but look at each other.

　And then we smile at each other.

　This is how we were able to rescue the 19 girls kidnapped in the suburbs of the favela, safely.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Eventually, the 19 girls and their guardians went home.

　But me, Solstice, Illtimina-san, Asbel-san, and Garion-san were to be interviewed by the guards as it was.

　........It was dawn when it was over.

　The two of us, who are minors, were thanked for saving the girls, but on the other hand, we were scolded for not doing such a dangerous thing.

"It's because you guards are unreliable...

　Illtimina blurts out a word.

　A blue streak forms on her forehead, the other guard.

　We hurriedly held her mouth and replied honestly, "I'll be careful from now on.

　Soon, we, too, are allowed to return home.

...the sun is yellow.
It's true.

　As we left the building, Solstice and I let out a weary sigh at the morning sunrise in the eastern sky.

　So we left Asbel and Garion on the spot, and my sisters and I decided to go back to our own home on the outskirts of the royal capital.

　As soon as we returned, I fell asleep.

　It was past noon when I woke up.

'Merle, Sol. The guild is calling me because of yesterday. Please get ready at once.

(From the guild?)

　We were told in a drowsy state of mind, we had a light breakfast or lunch and left the house.

　When we arrived at the guild, we were immediately shown into the "guild leader's room" on the top floor.

　In addition to Mumpa, the all-white beastman, there was

Hmm, the three of you had a rough day yesterday after you left the warriors.
..........

　There was Kirt-san smiling that way, and another girl next to him, a vague girl with soft, habitual blonde hair and light blue eyes - Poe.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　We sit down on the visitor's couch.

　Mumpa speaks to us.

We heard from the Royal Guard. It sounds like everyone did a great job. You have done a great job.

　A soft smile.

　But our gaze turns to Poe.

'Asbell and the others brought you here,'

　Mr. Kilt replied.

'I heard from Irna this morning,' he said. If she's telling the truth, I think I need to hear from Poe here.
..........
..........
..........

　Mr. Mumpa nodded.

And also for what happened. For a little while, Marl and the others were involved, so I thought I'd call you all up to tell you that too.

　He continued.

(...were we involved in causing the incident?)

　To our bewilderment, Mumpa said.

'Maal, do you remember when we were leaving the Great Forest of Aldoria six months ago, we took some old books from the tower there?'
Uh-huh.

　I nodded.

　As I recall, I remember bringing a few books from the bookshelf in the tower's living space with me. I handed those books directly to this 'Adventurer's Guild, Moonlight Wind'.

　Ms. Illtimina seems to remember and nods next to me.

　Mumpa-san nodded at us.

Those books were given to the Royal Academy of Magic as research material. In fact, they include a collection of illustrations of magic circles from the ancient Thanatos Magical Dynasty.

(A collection of magic circle plans...?

　I have a bad feeling about this.

"It seems that the mastermind of this kidnapping case, the magician Adian Servais, who was expelled from the Academy, completed his own years of research by obtaining the 'Magic Formation Diagram Book'. As a result, he was banned by the Academy from further research and his work was sealed.
..........
He disagreed and continued his research. It seems that he and some of his students were expelled from the Royal Academy of Magic, causing this incident.

　Wow......

(So you're saying that if we hadn't taken the book out of the tower this incident wouldn't have happened?

　I feel a little responsible.

'No, Merle, it's not your fault.

　Noticing my expression, Mumpa shook her head.

　Her soft white hair swayed with a flutter.

I'm sure that a lot of research on magic has been done thanks to the 'Magic Formation Diagram Book'. A book is only a book. In the end, it's how people perceive the results it produces.
Yeah, yeah.

　Solstice nodded.

'The bottom line is that the mage was just weak at heart.
..........
If you're going to study magic, you have to be prepared to stop properly when it turns out to be dangerous.

　Perhaps because I study magic myself, the girl's voice was stern.

(............)

　But it's still complicated when you find out that your casual actions were involved in the root of this case.

　It's not easy to dismiss.

'Marle has fulfilled her responsibilities,'
...What?
I don't think there's any responsibility in the first place, but if you're still concerned, think of it this way. You've taken it upon yourself to stop a negative cycle of events like this one.

　As she says this, Illtimina-san's hand takes mine in hers.

''I think that's enough, I think you're fulfilling your responsibilities.

　Looking into my eyes, I smiled at that.

　...........

'Yes.'

　I nodded.

　Illtimina's words made me feel a little lighter.

　Watching our exchange, Kirt-san laughed gently.

''Well, I guess we're done with the case.

　Then his expression changed.

The main subject is this way. We are here to find out the reason why you defeated the horrible demonic creature that was summoned by the incident, and to find out what it is.
..........
..........
..........

　At her words, our eyes are drawn to one girl.

　A girl who has not spoken during our conversation so far.

　Kirt's golden eyes stare into that young face and ask, "Poe, who are you?

'Poe, who the hell are you?

　His voice echoed silently in the guild chief's room.