Siegbert Gil'es was out in town that day with Hyrgis Emeralda.

　They had just delivered Cecily Arkwright and her grandfather, Gaiden Arkwright, to the aristocrat's restaurant, the Crystal Sheep Pavilion.

　Gaiden Arkwright, the Holy King's swordsmanship instructor.
　He is already in his mid-70s, and is still very busy with his active service.
　He currently teaches swordplay to princes and princesses at the king's request.
　He has also been a trusted advisor to the Holy King.
　He sometimes mentioned that he wanted to retire.
　But on the other hand, he was happy to be able to contribute to the Holy King's family as a swordsman in his old age.

　The one he dotes on so much that it doesn't hurt to look him in the eye is his grandson, Cecily Arkwright.
　Gaiden allowed him to sit with her, but I think he really wants to have dinner alone with his beloved grandson.
　Zeke politely refused to sit with him and then went into town with Cecily and Gaiden's permission.

　In fact, Cecily had already given him permission to spend the day as he pleased after dropping him off.

What do you think of this?

　Zeke pointed to the glowing necklace in the glass box for display and asked Hyrgis.

'That's fine.　It's not too flashy, so it would look good on that guy.
Yeah, right.

　Hmmm, Zeke groaned with a hand on his chin.
　They were in an ornamental shop on the main street of the city.
　This was one of the shops that Cecily's mother had taught her about.
　Apparently there are several shops around here that carry higher quality goods than those in the noble district.
　Value-added doesn't always equate to the real thing, according to Cecily's mother.

　The reason Zeke came to this store was to buy a gift for "that person".
　The other day when he and Kurohiko were talking over lunch, he told me that he had given a necklace to the headmaster and her maid of honor, Mia Posta.
　That's when Zeke, too, decided to give something to that person.
　I've given flowers and other small gifts in the past, but I've never given a gift that was anything like a 'gift'.
　However, when it comes to choosing a gift, Siegfried's confidence in his own discernment is waning.
　That's why I asked Hyrgis to accompany me and asked for her opinion.

''Then, here.

　Zeke pointed to a necklace with a round purple crystal inlay to the shopkeeper.

"...Hey, how many do you want to buy?
What?

　Hyrgis looks at Zeke with narrowed eyes.
　He looks somewhat dismayed.

''Well ... okay.''

　As a matter of fact, Zeke and his friends had already gone through several stores.
　And each time they went into a store, they bought something that Hyrgis liked.
　He thought he would ask Cecily to pick out something that looked good later.
　For some reason, he felt that Cecily seemed to know what the man liked better than he did.
　But, Zeke felt sorry for himself.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

You are surprisingly bad at getting to know people, aren't you?
It's complicated for you to say, but there's no denying it. Well, I'm aware of that.

　Yes, I am.
　I'm aware of that.
　I know it's hard to talk to her because she's usually a very clumsy person.
　Maybe it's because of his personality, he's not good at flamboyant social gatherings either.
　Zeke was never very good at the idea of a friendly smile.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them, especially when it comes to friends.
　As a result, it's often difficult to get to know the people around you, and you end up floating in the group.
　But there are people like Kurohiko who are able to open up to each other.
　It's not that there aren't friends with whom you can share a smile with naturally.
　And Zeke notices that Hyrgis is looking at the shop window.

'It's kind of noisy out there, though.

　Indeed, there was something noisy in the street from earlier.
　I wonder what's going on.
　Zeke and the others walked out of the store.

'What is it?'

　People are running for cover.
　They all seem to be heading in the direction of the holy tree.
　The wave of people bumped into the shoulders of Zeke and Hyrgis as they aimed in the direction of the holy tree, as if they were in a state of panic.
　Sieg finds the figure of a member of the Order of the Holy Tree who is guiding the citizens.

''What's going on?''

　When I asked, a member of the group acknowledged Zeke's presence.

'Are you a student of the school in that uniform?'

　A member of the group with a serious expression pointed towards Seiki.

''Listen, we must flee towards the evacuation area immediately. No.........if possible, we might as well get out of the royal capital.
What's this all about?

　Hyrgis asked.
　Another member of the Order shouted something to the owner of the ornamental shop where Zeke and the others had been earlier.
　The shopkeeper then jumped out with his blood and joined the wave of people.
　Many of the knights were probably headed to the castle or the noble district?
　This area was clearly under the impression that there were not enough people in this area.

''We're here.''

　A member of the group says, as if to say something horrible.

''You coming?''

　With a tightly knit brow, the group member turned his head in the direction of the north gate.

''The ... four evil plagues.

　When he heard the name, Zeke couldn't understand for a while what the group members were talking about.
　The Four Deadly Disasters.
　Did the man in front of him just call it the Four Deadly Disasters?

Four major disasters in Christofias?

　Hirgis also had agitation running through his expression.
　Why.
　Why were the Four Deadly Plagues in the King's Capital?

''The troops led by Lord Vanshtos are heading to the north gate where the Four Deadly Disasters appeared. I want to believe they'll win, of course. "I want to believe he'll win, but...

　A member of the group bites his teeth in frustration.

There's a side of me that wishes it were Van Stoss-dono and the Eight Swords.

　When I looked at him, I saw that the hands of the group members were shaking.
　He would like to believe in the victory of his friends.
　But at the same time, he did not seem to be underestimating the harsh reality that the name "Four Deadly Disasters" suggests.

''Anyway, you guys have to run away now too. What--

　Huh, a member of the group smiles while sweating coldly.

It's not a shameful thing to do, leaving the people you are supposed to be protecting first to flee... Well, to tell you the truth, if I were to tell you a little bit, I'd like to flee right away, but...

　The group member lowers his eyebrows with a helpless smile.
　He looks as if to say that this is his role.
　Then the group members joined their friends and went back to guiding the citizens.

　Zeke unconsciously put his hand on the sword at his waist.
　Ever since that incident with Hibigami, Zeke had always tried to sash his sword whenever possible.
　This is because you never know what will attack you at any given time.
　As a member of the Girgis family, he had to be in a position to protect Cecily Arkwright at any time.
　This is the same for Hyrgis.
　But

Four wrongs.

　When your opponent is the Four Deadly Disasters, the dimension of the story changes a bit.
　Zeke and the others moved to the side of the street and slipped straight into the alleyway.

'What do we do?'

　Hyrgis asks as he watches the street.
　Sieg makes an immediate decision.

'I think I'll join Cecily-sama and the others first.
Okay.

　For themselves, that would be the first thing they would have to do.
　Zeke took out one ring from the sachet of his obi leather and put it on his finger.
　Hyrgis also put a ring with a peach-colored crystal in it on his index finger.
　This ring is a magical tool that shows each other's position with a streak of light.
　Siegfried poured the holy element into the jewelry of the ring.
　But the streaks of light that appeared were only to mark the rings of Hyrgis and Sieghis to each other.

''No?''

　This magic tool would not be effective unless the ones wearing the ring had poured the holy element into each other.
　In other words, Cecily would not have poured the holy element into the ring at this stage.

''So the other side hasn't yet gotten to the point where they're thinking about using this ring to join us,''
Maybe they haven't even gotten the word out that the Four Deadly Plagues have arrived yet.
''It can't be helped. While pouring the holy element into the ring, let's try to join up while aiming for the noble district for now. And if we can successfully join up we'll aim for the academy for once. If possible, I'd like to join up with Kurohiko.

　Kurohiko is strong.
　He can also use forbidden spells.
　And he will protect Cecily at all costs.

Kurohiko may be on his way to the evacuation zone now.
''No ... in King's Landing, the academy and the evacuation zone are directly opposite to each other.

　As I recall, Kurohiko said that he and the headmaster were planning to meet with their guest today.

''Besides, I don't know if we'll be able to survive holed up in the evacuation area this time. If it's the headmaster, I'm sure he'll try to escape from the west gate to the Duke of Sigmsos' territory.
Well that's just as well.
I have a feeling that I'd be safer outside King's Landing than in the evacuation zone. It's just a feeling.

　In truth, it would be ideal if the Holy Tree Knights could repel the Four Deadly Plagues.
　That would be the ideal.
　However, will the Four Deadly Plagues, which even that imperial army couldn't stand up to, be defeated so easily?
　Furthermore, as the Commander had said, the absence of the Commander and Deputy Commander, as well as the elite troops, felt fatal in this situation.

'Fortunately, Cecily-sama is with Master Gaiden now. I'm sure Master Gaiden will take the appropriate action. So it's highly likely that Cecily-sama and the others are already on the move, but...............................I'm going to stop by the Crystal Sheep Pavilion just in case. If they aren't there, I'll go straight to the Arkwright family. Your mother, Socie-sama, is also there. The chances of Cecily-sama and the others heading to the mansion should be high.

　Hyrgis indicates his agreement.

''Even without Cecily-sama, if possible, we will meet up with Socie-sama, Banton and the others and continue to work together afterwards. After leaving the mansion, I will escort Socie-sama and the others to the academy. The carriage will be conspicuous, so we'll probably have to move on foot.......but for now, would you mind going in that direction?

　The reply from Hyrgis was delayed.

''Are you ... are you okay with that?''
What?

　Hyrgis opens his lips, as if it's hard to say.

'About that man,'
I am a member of House Gil'es. First and foremost, I have a duty to protect the Arkwrights.

　As he said it, Zeke was inwardly thinking about that man.
　Will that person be evacuated?
　Normally, in this situation, she would try to evacuate.
　But - she would probably remain in the mansion.
　There's no point in forcing herself to live....she must be thinking that way.
　Now she won't resist if there are signs of death.
　She accepts death.
　That's the kind of person she is.
　I really want to pick her up and take her out of the mansion myself.
　I want to tell her that I want her to live for me.
　But I am of House Gil'es.
　The safety of the Arkwrights must be my top priority.
　I can't let that rule be compromised.

All right.

　Hyrgis said.

'Then leave it to me.'
Do you want me to handle it?

　Zeke raised an eyebrow.

'Leave it to me, what?'
''After we meet up with Socie-sama and the others, I will take care of guiding and escorting you to the academy. After you leave the Arkwright family's mansion, you'll go find that man.
I don't see how that's possible.
If you don't, I'll go find her.
That's absurd.
"This is your time to be reckless, Zeke.

　Her voice was filled with strong emotions, which was unusual for her.

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

　Hyrgis darted his eyes to the package Zeke was holding.

'Who in the world did you buy that gift for?

　Zeke drew his mouth into a tight line, hard.

'But--'
"Zeke.

　Zeke's feelings were swayed by Hyrgis's tone without saying anything.

''..........Is it okay?''
'Good or bad, we should do that now. It's times like these that I don't think I should lie about how I feel.
"Hyrgis.

　Zeke stared at Hyrgis' face for a while, then bowed his head.

''I'm ... sorry, I owe you.''
'Just do it. And I'm sure Lady Cecily would say the same thing.

　Somehow, though.
　I had a feeling that Cecily would certainly say the same thing.

'Anyway........first of all, you must be Cecily-sama.

　Zeke regained his composure.

'Let's go, Hyrgis,'
Yeah.

　After jumping out of the alley, the two of them turned their feet in the direction of the Crystal Sheep Pavilion.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　The Crystal Sheep Pavilion where Cecily and Gaiden have their shop is located in the aristocratic district.

　Zeke and the others are currently in front of the square in front of the Great Clock Tower.
　It's regrettable that the last shop I stopped at was in a location almost exactly opposite to the aristocratic district.

　However, the ring is extending a single streak of light straight from earlier towards the aristocratic district.
　It seems that the news of the Four Deadly Plagues' attack has reached Cecily's side as well.
　It seems that the other side is also trying to join us.

　Zeke looked towards the north gate.
　He didn't know how the battle at the north gate was going to go.
　However, if the Holy Tree Knights had been defeated early on.

　On the way to the Crystal Sheep Pavilion, there was a chance that they would encounter the Four Deadly Disasters.
　I just want to avoid running into them somehow.
　Zeke looked at the surroundings.
　The human spirit in this area was almost gone.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see the occasional citizen who may have missed out on a chance to escape.
　The usually busy square in front of the Great Clock Tower is also deserted.
　It is not a good idea to cut through the empty square.
　However, it is also true that you can shorten the distance by cutting through the square.

Wait, Hyrgis!

　Zeke grabbed Hyrgis' body as he tried to get himself out of the alley and pulled him closer.
　What is it, I hear.

　--a scream, or is it?

　It gradually comes closer and closer to us.



　But something is wrong.
　Yes.
　The position of the voice was strange.
　The same is true for the approach speed, but with this, it's as if it's flying in the sky--

'--aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

　Something 'collided' with the top near the top of the clock tower.
　A loud sound as if a rock had popped off.

　--what?

　He gently emerges from the alley.

'What?'

　Zeke couldn't help but let out an involuntary gasp of surprise.
　There was a hole in the great clock, and a crack ran vertically through it.

'Ooohhhh!　Rah, sha!　Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

　A scream comes from deep in the hole.
　Continued, the sound of crushing.
　The cracks in the wall above the clock tower increase.
　The wall shatters and pops away.

　--is someone inside, rampaging?　But for what purpose....

　Just then, the top of the clock tower collapses.

　The roof part of the tower loses its support and collapses.
　The wall underneath it also collapses in a chain.
　The big clock creaks and screams.
　And then, like it was ripped off, it fell off the tower with a crash.
　The clock, which has been ticking without a break, falls to the ground.
　A loud sound echoed through the square.
　More cracks started to appear at the crack, and then the clock broke in half without a trace.
　While hiding himself, Zeke looks up at the top of the clock tower.

　The ceiling and walls are lost 'there'.

　A man was standing alone.

　His body was so huge that even from a distance you could see it.
　He had a strong body and thick arms.
　Golden hair.

　That's about all you can see from this position.
　Even so, I could tell that the man was strange.
　Moreover, he was probably one of the four evildoers.

　Sieg quickly took off his ring as soon as he could.
　Hyrgis also quickly removed the ring.
　This ring would immediately lose its effectiveness without a sustained supply of holy elements.
　In other words, if he removed it from his finger, the streaks of light would instantly disappear.
　But right now, it was more gratifying to have it disappear immediately.
　Zeke and the others had removed the ring because they feared that the streak of light would be found by the man in the clock tower.
　However, it was possible that the streaks of light had already been seen....

　With a nervous look on his face, Zeke looked at the man.
　However, contrary to Zeke's fears, there was no sign that the man had noticed us.
　The man held his hand to his forehead and looked around in a completely different direction from Zeke and his friends.
　At the very least, I can't see any sign of him turning his face towards us.
　He ... seemed to be looking in the direction of the noble district.

''Ah, that way!　Oh, yeah, right!　That means I'm supposed to aim for that place, right!　Shasta!　Wealthy and rich!　You can't tell people from one minute to the next that they're wealthy.　Nice and straightforward!　--Shaaah!

　The man, flew.
　Or should I call that a leap?
　Whatever it was, the distance it flew was extraordinary.
　At least it's not a distance that a human being can fly on a single foot.
　The man who jumped up flew straight to the noble district.
　Is it possible to land?
　Nope.
　I can, so I flew.

　The man said something about wealth.
　Are they after money and goods?
　If so, Zeke thought, it was a surprisingly obvious goal.

'I see he's gone.
Yeah.

　As the man moved away, the area regained an eerie silence once again.
　However, several other citizens who had been hiding seemed to be peering at that strange scene.
　People could be sparsely seen in the windows and shadows of the house.

　Zeke bit his lip.

　--If the earlier man's destination is that district as he said, then there is a chance that he will encounter Cecily-sama and the others.

　And that man is also in the same district.
　We must hurry.

We must hurry, Hyrgis.
Yeah.

　Zeke and Hyrgis were about to leave the alleyway and enter the alleyway beyond one, aiming for the noble district.
　And that's when Zeke reached for his leather belt as he ran to put his ring back on.

''Cececily!

　I heard a voice.

　--What?

　Without a second thought, Sieg stopped in his tracks.
　Hyrgis, as expected, didn't seem to be able to listen to what she just said.
　She also stops her feet.
　Depending on how you listen, it is a swallowing voice.
　However, in the midst of the situation where these four deadly disasters are attacking, that interminable voice is rather strikingly different.

''Ce~ci~ri~!　How do you like it?　Oh, come on, Sesely!　Cecili!　Cecily, Arkwright!　Where are you!

　Zeke looked at Hyrgis with a tense expression on his face.　
　'Cecily Arkwright.
　Now, the owner of the voice was sure that it was 'Cecily Arkwright'.
　The two of them turned towards the direction of the voice.
　Then a tall, red-haired man in dark brown leather clothing emerged from an alleyway different from the one from which Zeke and the others had come out.
　His smudged red hair was long enough to cover his eyes, and the man had strangely long limbs.
　The man was dragging something behind him.
　He was a guard.
　He didn't know what it was for, but he seemed to have dragged it all the way here, holding the ankle of the doomed guard.
　Then the red-haired man noticed Zeke and the others.

'Hey, don't you guys know that?　His name is Cecily Arkwright and you don't know him?　She's just so beautiful.

　The man looked down at the guard's body.

This guy, he said he knew where I was but I think he was lying about it. I asked him where he was, but he kept saying maybe, and probably, and probably, and probably. What's the matter with you?　I think you're dead!　How useless!

　The man throws down the body of the guard in frustration.
　Then the man smiled at Zeke and the others, niiii.

'Hey, don't you know?　Do you know where Cecily Arkwright is?　If you can tell me where Cecily is....hmmm...special?　This is a secret from my brother Beshgam, okay?　I'm gonna keep you guys alive!

　Her eyes were blazing, glowing from her bangs.

'If you don't know, then ... well, you can play with me. Oh, don't worry, okay?　If you don't know, I won't be mad at you.

　The cobblestones popped as the man gave his arm a whip-like motion.

'Then I'll make sure you're dead for fun!