I rested for a while and then my body began to move.
　He stood up and took Nina's hand.

'Come on, let's get out of here. Are you ready?
Uh-huh.

　Nina looks nervous.
　Can you really get away with it?　And maybe you're wondering.
　I'm going to have to let you off the hook, I promise.

Let's go.

　I pulled Nina's hand away and left the room.
　No sign of people.
　It's probably due to the fact that there are people allocated to the front of the building.
　Still, I proceeded inside the pavilion, paying attention to my surroundings just in case.

　Go down the stairs to the first floor.
　I go around to the back and wait for Sora and Luna to join me.

''Why.........stop?''
I've got a buddy I went undercover with. Waiting for you two...
It is,
Is this about Luna and the others?
Huh!

　Sora and Luna appeared from the shadows and Nina jumped up with a start.

'Thank goodness you're okay.'
'You were worried about me?'
Of course.
Well I don't feel so bad.
But we don't need to worry about that!　They're the most powerful and invincible spirit race, hahaha!
That's why I don't say it out loud.
Whew!

　Luna spilled an indescribable voice as she gave Sora a hard time.

''Uh........''
I'll be fine. You're both my friends.

　I tell Nina, who is bemused, not to worry.
　She seems surprised, but she can see that they are the same strongest species, so she's not too alarmed.

'Sometimes ... Rain. Who is that girl?　Did you hook up with a new kid?
'Don't say anything inappropriate.
This guy doesn't even know he's doing it.
Not really.
'You know ... I mean, this is not the time to do this. What about those people that were taken?
Sola and her team used transference magic to get you into the heart of the city.
'They'll be in plain sight over there, and they'll be protected in no time. You won't have to worry about getting involved.
Well thank you. You've done a great job. That's Sora and Luna.
Hmm.
Whew.

　I couldn't help but reflexively pat them both on the head.
　I thought they would be angry at me for not treating them like children, but........
　They didn't look unfazed and accepted the nudge, somewhat pleasantly.

'Ko, this is a wonderful treat,'
'Ummm ... it's going to be a habit. I can't stop, I can't stop.
Is that a common phrase?
"I don't know.
Can you do transference magic again?
Hm?　There's no problem at all. I hope you don't lick the amount of magic power of the spirit race.
You take care of this one.
Speaking of which, what happened to the boy?
''Well I won't go into detail, but the other magical reaction was from this girl. This girl.........Nina is also the most powerful species, and since the lord had captured her, I want to let her go.
'Your appearance........are you a godling?　
We don't have the right to say that.
So don't tell me you're a hermit.
All right. Just a quick transfer. Here, come to me.

　A little bit of Luna beckons me over, but Nina doesn't move away from me.
　She looks up at me as she grabs the edges of my clothes and hangs on.

'Leave ... don't ... don't go.'
I'll be fine. I just need you two to take me somewhere safe.
I don't want to be.... away from you... and I don't want to be alone...
"...Nina....

　Nina's voice trembles.
　I don't know if I'm being sheltered or....
　It's not a very good idea, but I can't just transition and be done with it.
　If I let him out of my sight now, he might be safe.
　But Nina will be lonely, and she will be very anxious.

　I bend down lightly and make eye contact with Nina.

'....I might get scared if I stay here.
....
"You could be in a lot of trouble. You could run into someone who did something terrible to Nina. Still ... will you still be with me?
Hmm. I want to be with Rayne....
All right. Then I'll stay with you.

　He stroked Nina's fluffy head.
　Relieved, Nina smiled slightly.

'Then let's hurry to the front of the house.
'It's still too noisy. I suppose both Kanade and Tania are fighting. It seems I must join them.
Don't you two object?
It was Lane's decision.
And I can't help but feel that you can't leave me alone. Hmmm, I'm very tolerant of the weak.
They're the same strongest species.

　For what it's worth, they both seem to be worried about Nina, too.
　They've only just met each other, but they can care about her... both Sora and Luna are very good kids.
　I feel relieved, even at a time like this.

'Good.'

　We need to brace ourselves from here on out, or it's dangerous.
　I'll change my mind.

"Nina, on my back.
Hmmm.

　I crouched down and Nina got on my back honestly.

'Mmm, that's nice ... later, I hope you do the same for me.
Sora would like that too.
When it's all over.
I understand.
Then let's put an end to this as fast as we can!

　We each got fired up and ran towards the front.



----------



　

''Kick them around, kick them around!　Don't let them come one foot in the building!
Don't be afraid, justice is on our side!

　There are six Knights, including Stella.
　Plus, two in Canade and Tania.
　In contrast, the lord's private army, one after the other, had reached about a hundred men.

　Eight men versus a hundred.
　If one were to think about it normally, Stella would have no chance of winning.
　No matter how excellent Stella was in swordplay, she could only take on three people at most at the same time.
　She couldn't take on a hundred men, and her strength wouldn't last.

　But there were two unusual, substandard beings.

''Unya-nya-nya-nya........!

　It was a melee, and the area around the gate was filled with friends and foes.
　In the midst of all this, I saw a shadow that ran between people with precision, weaving through the gaps and galloping like the wind.

　It was a Kanade.

　As they passed each other, it struck a painful blow with its fists and legs.
　The lord's private soldiers scream in agony and fall one after another.
　It's like a storm rushing through the battlefield.
　Once swallowed by the storm, there's no way you can stand there.

"Kanade, you're doing great.

　Tania was inspired by the struggles of Kanade.

　Leaping higher and higher....
　He instantly found a point where there were no allies and rushed straight through.
　It lands like a meteorite while kicking away countless enemies.

　The enemy soldiers are upset and point their weapons at me, but from Tania's point of view, it's too slow.
　She spins around on the spot.
　Using her proud tail like a whip, she cleaves down the surrounding enemy soldiers.

''.........Soooo amazing, those two.

　Stella was stunned to see the two men in action.

　Since the start of the engagement, it had been about 30 minutes.
　The number of enemies had been reduced by about a third.
　Most of this was due to the success of Kanade and Tania.
　And yet, Kanade and Tania didn't look as if they were hurt.
　They didn't show any signs of fatigue.
　Just the two of them, they had overwhelmed the enemy soldiers.

　Once again, I was reminded of the bullshit power of the strongest species.
　But.........
　Still, Stella fears.

'I don't think it's going to end like this...'

　I'm concerned about the people being held captive.
　Besides, no mercenaries comparable to the B rank of being employed by the lord have shown up.

　Will they end up in one piece?
　I want it to be over, but I have a feeling that it won't be that easy.

　Stella had that feeling....

Yeah, I'm not going to let you down!

　He gripped his sword tightly, as if to inspire himself.
　If it was a hostage, Rain would be able to take care of it.
　Even if a mercenary comparable to a B-ranked adventurer appeared, they could all join forces.

　Thinking that, Stella cut into the enemy camp.
　........It was then.

''Oi, this isn't good if we don't do this!
Take a hostage! Take a hostage!
What?

　A disturbing conversation was exchanged between the enemy soldiers.
　Had Rain not made it in time?
　Stella is getting impatient, but....

I'm sorry, man!

　Something jumped out of the sky and...
　He landed right next to Stella.

　Stella naturally smiles.

'Rain!'