When Ars brought Tesfia into view, the first thing he saw was the bundle of papers in his hand.
　The worst of it was immediately predictable.

'Alice, it looks like you've changed into your uniform and gone.

　That's why he thought he was going somewhere.

　There is nothing unnatural about changing into a school uniform, even if it is a holiday, since it is on school grounds.
　But there is one advantage to wearing a uniform.
　A uniform made of anti-magic fiber will mitigate the damage caused by magic to some extent.

　That seems to confirm the conclusion that Ars fears.

'And I found this on Alice's desk.

　The paper thrust at me is a report from Felinella.
　It has Ars's name on it. That's why he thought it was strange that it was in Alice's room.

　Feeling like looking up to the heavens, Ars took the license from his desk.

'Gudma is Alice's...'
The "Hail Mary　You knew.
Well what's more important than that?

　It's no wonder Tesfia is outraged. He was definitely someone who would be digging up the past after all this time.

'What shall we do, Master Ars?'

　He opened the comm line and handed Loki the license that the call had rung.

'In the meantime, contact Felinella and request that she move the operation forward.

　Ars put on a sallow robe and attached the AWR to his waist.
　Tesfia, who had been watching it in a daze, shouted out.

''What do you mean!　Alice ... where did Alice go?
Tsk....

　Time is running out, that's a fact.
　It must have been three hours since Alice left, it would be a waste of time to spend explaining... but it wouldn't be.

　It was a bypass for Ars. It's obvious that it was his own fault.
　The truth is that he couldn't be bothered because he was always working only on his own accord.
　I was aware of the lack of materials, but I assumed that Loki had disposed of them for me. What a stupid, stupid mistake.

'That's the mission I've been assigned. Only that the target was someone who had something to do with Alice you probably went alone.
"....!　Why now....

　The sound of a sorrowful voice crumpled and distorted the paper he was holding onto.

'My mistake. I'll bring Alice back, I promise.

　I went out of my way to tell him out loud, and it was a precautionary measure. I didn't think it would help, though.

'I'm coming too!

　A powerful step is taken to grab Ars's robe. Easily stepping over the precautionary measures.
　However, the weak hand was filled with power that would be all he could muster.
　It would be easy to stun Tesfia right here and now. Of course, I don't know what they will say later on.

　Loki has left the room to communicate. If I'd heard it right here, I would have been the first to dismiss it.

'He's slowing me down.'
I'm still going!

　Ars's hand formed a fist.
　Tesfia, who had been watching it up close, didn't even leave, but just lifted the edge of her mouth at the same time as her face grew stronger.

'Do it. I'm not going to resist I'm sure it's useless. But I won't faint, I'll never...........even if I have to crawl on the ground.

　The report spills out of Tesfia's hand and scatters on the floor.
　He must have already figured out where it was.

　In the next moment, Tesfia's hand grabs Ars's chest and pulls him closer. The hand trembles in small increments.
　His face approached rapidly, urgently, to a breathless distance.

'There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to go and help your best friend in a crisis.

　The moist, crimson ball-like eyes looked back at Ars's eyes.
　Ars only looked down at it coldly.

'Hate yourself for not having the power.'

　Tesfia's eyes widen further at the word. The drops that came in a thud accumulate as if they are hesitant to flow.

　Still, Tesfia's hand is still holding onto Ars's chest.
　It must have been like a final lifeline. Maybe he thought that letting go of this would be the same as giving up.

　Just as Loki enters the room from behind, finishing the call.
　He nodded to Ars, holding his mouth shut to Tesfia, who was in an unusual mood and sobbing.

'No time, let go.'

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　Tesfia staggered and cowered on her back.

'Loki, get ready at once.'
Yes.

　Ars's face was tinged with impatience. Loki, who had never seen this kind of expression before, was slow to reply.

''What's first ... what's the strongest?''

　The bosom-spun words stopped Ars and Loki in their tracks.
　It was Loki who made the first move. Not to prepare, of course.
　The step he took was a forceful one that would have expressed his anger.

　Ars looked at Tesfia, who was still lying on her face, stunned.

　The only reason he moved was because Loki, who approached Tesfia, raised his arm that made a slap.
　Tesfia doesn't respond to Loki's hand, which should be in his line of vision. She looks back at him resolutely.

''----!

　It was Loki who looked back in surprise. That's because he raised his arm and Ars grabbed him.

　Shaking his head, he let go of Loki's hand and waited for him to continue.

'Power for what, if you're going to say you're the strongest, then protect all of them, even if they're a liability!

　Ars felt as if one of the collected drops had hit the floor and spread out a ripple.
　He didn't adhere to the first place, but it was a hard fact that it was the strongest.

　Ars had a thought.
　He wondered how long he had been alone when he was on a mission in the outside world.
　He knew that he couldn't protect anyone. If he fought a demon, someone on his team would always lose their life.
　If that's the case, if I went out on my own from the beginning, no one would die....When did I start to think that?

　Those with power also come with responsibilities. He had fulfilled that responsibility by himself alone, on his mission. No, he had abandoned it.

　I don't believe I can protect all people. That would be arrogant and insolent.
　On the contrary, he is a tiny man who thinks he cannot even protect his visible friends.

　Everyone's words about humanity's precious strength are the result of defeating a demon.

　What Tesfia is saying now is that we are fighting to protect it.
　The purpose is different, and yet the result is the same.......but there is an absolute difference between them, Ars realized.

　It was no wonder Loki was trembling with further anger.
　If he only listened to the words, it was no different than what the army had imposed on Ars.

　Ars raised the corner of his mouth in amusement.

(Fine, I'll protect you guys. I don't give a d*mn about the others.)

　Right after I told him inwardly about such devious swearing and was about to open my mouth.

''I don't wish for a power from us that no one can protect........................Kyah!
You're out of line.

　Just as he was about to give permission, Ars stopped the pause in his pursuit with an iron fist.

　Tesfia, who held her head, glared at him with tears in her eyes, before a complaint flew out of her mouth.

''Haa~, okay I'll take you there.
The "Hail Mary　Lady Ars.
We can handle one of these guys. And if Alice is out of her mind, I think it's still better to have her around.

　He added inwardly, "Still, I don't think it's better than the risk, though.

'Thank you,'

　Tesfia wiped the tears away with her fingers.
　Of course, Ars has no intention of getting away with it.

　How much the fact that he is a limp, and his lack of power is there affects the people around him.

''Enough, though other mages might die for the amount of attention I'm paying to you.
..........!
'You're going into battle with a force that you don't deserve. I hope you're prepared to do that.

　I see fear and trepidation.
　That's what I'm saying to make you aware of it. It's partly a bluff, though.
　There is no choice but to abandon the friends who can reach you. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a job.
　Although it's only temporary, Ars does make a distinction between those who should be protected in that way.

''But still ... still I will go to Alice.

　Not as a nobleman. Tesfia assured him that he was running in as a friend and confidant.
　It wasn't about the mission or anything else.

　Just a straight gaze turned to Ars.

'I wouldn't say anything if it was accompanied by competence.
..........
Get on with it.
I'll be back in a minute!
Who waits, late.
What?

　Ars jumped out the window with Tesfia in his arms. Loki followed firmly after him.
　He watched the scenery pass by and landed on the roof of the girls' dormitory in no time.

　The roof of the women's dormitory is a terrace, not a roof, so you can enter the building through the door.

''Are you glad, Ars-sama?''

　While we waited for Tesfia, who headed off to get ready.

'I would never take her with me, considering the mission.
Then why?
Maybe he's tired of slaying demons and killing humans.
..........

　Ars's face was not the fleeting one he was used to seeing, but rather an emotionless, rarefied expression that certainly contained human emotion within it.

'I'm glad,'

　Loki's mutterings, drowned out by the wind, did not reach Ars.

'What did you say?'
No ... nothing.

　Loki smiled a smile that included what could have been a grueling mission.

　Shortly thereafter, Tesfia returned in her uniform. There was a sword-shaped AWR hanging tightly sheathed at her waist.

'Let's go.'



　They fly up to the middle tier via the Circle Port and from there they drive towards the wealthy.

　Of course, it is Ars that holds the Tesphere. He was embarrassed, but he didn't raise any objections.

　Loki says he just made a request to move forward and didn't come back with any results.
　Then the license rings an incoming call in Ars's breast pocket.

'Get it,'
'Hey!　How could you do that at this speed?
If we can't, we just drop it.
All right.

　The vibrations were reduced by the large leaping floating sensation. In the meantime, Tesfia turned Ars's license into a speaker function and held it so that he wouldn't drop it.

'How did it work!
"Don't be so abrupt, Ars, and so brusque.
The "Hail Mary　Commander Viziest, was it?

　His wild voice was smooth and smooth, clearly audible over the call.

'Isn't this the first time you've messed up?'
I'm sorry.
"We're a little behind schedule, but we were prepared ahead of time, so we're not stuck in the dark.
'Thank you. So, it's going to be a night war.

　That's what Ars is worried about.
　Even though opponents who use the light system have an advantage in the daytime, if it's a magical battle, it can be overturned by sheer quantity.

　However, if it comes to night warfare, no ordinary wizard will be able to compete with an experimental body with high physical skills.

I've got the numbers for that. It's not even a fight. This is a war of annihilation, even under unforeseen circumstances.
I understand.

　It would be a boon just to have confirmation that the fears are unfounded.

''I'm sure the night battle won't be of any benefit to the enemy alone.
What do you mean?
"You're better at fighting at night.
Maybe a little.
"Ha!　Well said.'

　If the Vizayst is going to be like this, I'm pretty sure it won't be a problem in my experience.

'The siege is about 30%, it will be done in half an hour or so.
"Hey!　That's great.

　He was astonished at the deftness with which he had already placed it, even though it was only about half an hour after he had made the call.

'I was just preparing for the move,'

　He said plainly that it was just a coincidence, but it still made no difference that he was quite thorough.

''Then, after the mission is accomplished...''
"Oh, after it's done.

　This is something of a cliché when he was in his unit.
　It's used as a sort of alternative to "good luck. He seems to be using it in the hope that completion is the same sight after the achievement as the decision to complete it.

　As Tesfia moves his fingers to close the line, assuming he's done with the call.

Now, come on, Ars, take care of your daughter.

　The sound of Vizayst's voice at this point belonged to his father, not the commander.

'I owe you,'
"Show him how it's done.

　In fact, I've already asked Felinella to take care of something else.

　That was the last time we heard from them.

It's the first thing to go.

　If this makes the mission pacified, that responsibility will be taken by Ars.
　It's not hard to imagine it being taken mainly in the form of a return to the military.