This way.

　I walked out of the Knights' headquarters, blending my figure into the crowd and shaking off my pursuers....
　Sarya-sama led us to a small house in a small alleyway.

　It's a small house, perhaps for a single person.
　It's only large enough for two people to live in at the very last minute.

　There was a hard, dusty sofa by the wall, and a few chairs.
　And a few chairs.

　For now, I sat Sarya down on the sofa.
　Then I take off the handcuffs.

"Excuse me.
Huh, being handcuffed is a new experience for me.

　It may be a joke, but it's not funny under the circumstances right now.

'So ... can you tell me what's going on?'
Yes, I know.

　The smile disappears and Sarya-sama becomes serious.
　Her expression was filled with some concern for me.

''A week ago.......I received news that Rain-sama and the others had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Okay....so?
There was something unnatural about Arios' attitude, as if he wanted to frame Lane and the others. I was convinced that there was something more to hide, so I contacted Monica.
"Monica?
Oh I'm a knight who was recently added to Lord Arios' party.
"...Oh. Come to think of it, there's a face I'm not familiar with.

　It reminded me of a female knight.

　A beautiful woman.
　It's just....
　He had somewhat inorganic eyes, with a frighteningly cold look in them at times.
　Hence the impression it left on him.

　Perhaps the knight named Monica had been sent to keep an eye on Arios.
　In the case of Pagos, Arios had gone too far, as expected.
　The king and others who didn't feel good about it must have sent Monica.

　I asked Lady Salya for confirmation, and she nodded in agreement.

''Monica was originally my father's SS.......basically, she's on our side. So she should know about 'something' that Arios-sama may be hiding.
By the way you talk, have you reached any conclusions yet?
Yes Monica also seems to suspect Arios-sama, but she has no hard evidence and said she will continue to monitor him closely.
Hmm...?

　Sarya-sama's words made me feel a little uncomfortable.

　
　That's probably why she was chosen to be Arios's guardian.

　And yet, how is it possible that she doesn't know what's going on behind Arios' back?
　That's how well Arios got around...
　Or are our predictions pointing in the completely wrong direction and Arios is not involved in this case?

　.... no, I don't understand.
　I don't have enough information.
　For now, let's hear the rest of Sarya-sama's story.

''After that, I continued my own investigation on my own, but I'm sorry. I have not been able to find anything concrete on my end either. However, I can assure you in the name of royalty that Mr. Lane and the others have not committed any crimes. So I thought I'd at least help you escape...
And now we're getting to the point where... well, that's very clear.
'I'm sorry, I'm a useless royal... if I had more power, I could have cleared Mr. Lane and the others of their suspicions...'
'No. I'm quite grateful to you for helping me escape in this way. Besides, I don't know where you got it from, but Arios had a video of me committing a murder. As long as we have that evidence, no matter how Sarya-sama, I don't think we can overturn the ruling.
It would be nice to hear that.

　Lady Sarya gave a soft smile.
　She must have felt guilty, thinking it was useless.

　But I wonder.

'Why are you willing to go to such lengths?'

　I've saved Lady Sarya's life before, but....
　That's not a reason for you to go this far.
　Sarya-sama may have a position to fill....
　As a mere adventurer, I don't know why he would do so much for me.

''Well........Rain-san will be the person this country needs. Is it because I thought so?
What's the...?
'I'm sorry. I can't explain it clearly because I'm partly driven by intuition and impulse myself, but I think Mr. Lane is the kind of person we need for the future of this country.
Oh, come on, you're giving it too much credit.
'No, I don't think so. Perhaps my father is thinking the same thing. That's why he doesn't stop me, and that's why he's letting me go free like this.

　Even if you say something that big.......there is a part of me that is confused.
　But in other words, Sarya-sama appreciates me.
　She approves of me.

　It's a strange feeling.
　Once I was banished from the party as useless........
　I can't believe the princess needs and wants me now.

　But it's an honor to be able to put my trust in her like this.
　I was honestly glad to hear that.

I understand. For now, I'll just accept that kind of thing for now.
We'll help you. We'll get through this one way or another.
Yes, let's go for it.

　Well we understand the current situation for now.
　What's the next step?

They're... uh...

　I'm tempted to ask everyone, as is my usual habit.

　But ... of course, there's no answer.
　Everyone remains trapped.

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

　The lack of a response made me realize once again that I was alone.
　Up until now, no matter what difficulties I had encountered, everyone was there.

　There was Kanade.
　Tania was there.
　There was Sora.
　There was Luna.
　There was Nina.
　There was Tina.

　But now there is no one else.
　I'm the only one.

　My hands naturally tremble.
　Honestly, the thought of being alone I'm afraid.
　It's so hard to be alone.

''Huh!''

　I shake my head.

　I'm anxious to tell you the truth.
　I'm scared to death.

　But that doesn't mean I can't stand still.
　We're all still trapped.

　Then what do we do?
　I have to help her!

　I've had the support of people in many places.
　I've had the support of my people.

　Well, then.

　Now it's my turn to help.
　It's time for me to support them.

　I got to do it right here. When do I do it right now?
　It's time to move forward.
　I can't stop.
　You can't be lost.
　I can't be clumsy, clumsy, or miserable...
　I have to move forward in a hurry!

Okay.

　I changed my mind and let out one exhale.

'Hmph.'

　I noticed that Sarya-sama had a soft smile on her face.

''Uh... what's going on?''
'I would have supported Miss Lane if I had to but it was an unnecessary concern. Ms. Lane was a very strong person who was able to stand up for herself.
'That's not true. I'm not strong enough to be always getting help from my friends.
I think it's not a bad thing to have your help. I think it's a lot better than being on your own. So I hope you will accept my assessment of you, Mr. Lane, without any humility.
Okay.

　That's great, I mean....
　Maybe it's because of her position as a princess, but she has a very deep perspective.
　For the sake of Sarya-sama, who has helped me, I have to get through this incident in one piece.