[Tiki]

　He exhaled quietly as he watched the scene on the screen.

　On the screen, there was a robot that had blown up the surrounding soldiers in the blink of an eye, and in the back was the back of Maia and Traine running energetically.

　When the soldiers surrounded them and flames with sparks from an electrical discharge or something else covered the screen, I was quite impatient inwardly, but the robot immediately eliminated the enemy and apparently Maea and the others were not injured.

　Nevertheless, Maea and the others running away, leaving the robot behind, are clearly in danger. The robot will catch up with them soon, but until then, we can only hope that the two of them don't do anything rash.

　And as I was thinking about this, Eira, who was standing next to me, opened her mouth.



''Yeah. They said that that city would reach the imperial capital in a week if it was a fast horse. If you're an emperor, maybe you'll be able to reach the involvement of the Celestial Kingdom.

　Eira nodded with a difficult face as she answered that.

　At any rate, two mysterious cat beastmen with an unusually strong golem are kidnapping the elves. No matter how you think about it, you'll decide that there's someone behind it.

　Would you see it as an individual or organization against the Empire, or would you see it as an Aifa rebellion?

　No, the emperor would no doubt think of even the Celestial Kingdom just by hearing about that golem.

　This made the plan much more necessary to move forward.

　I turn to Eira and let out a short breath.

'It can't be helped. I've been thinking about the possibility of this happening, and we should hurry up and seize the location of the elves in the imperial capital. For now, if we can save the elves in that city, let's have Maea and the others come back here.

　Eira chuckled at that and nodded slowly.

''Traine-san seems to be fine, but I don't think Maea-chan is very good at covert action. Leave Maea-chan here, and now I'll........''

No, you can't do that.

　Eira's eyes rolled up when she told her that to Eira, who was speaking in a determined sort of way.

　I chuckle at that again and shake my head from side to side.

''In Eira's case, there might be someone who knows her face. Even though it's Imperial territory, Maea and the others who lived quietly on the frontier are better suited to infiltrate.''

　When I said that, Eira nodded grudgingly.

　To tell the truth, if Eira, who had a history with the Empire and was the princess of the Atul Kingdom, was found, there was also a concern that the Empire might turn on the Atul Kingdom as well.

　And most importantly, I can't imagine a scene like that, where the slightly goofy Eira sneaks into the imperial capital and successfully rescues the elves.

　Thinking of such a very rude thing, I turned a troubled smile at Eira.




[Maea]

　Gradually, the number of passersby is increasing. The soldiers with the elves were in sight, but they weren't likely to catch up with them any time soon.

''Get them!''

I don't care if I have to kill you!

　Murderous voices could be heard from all directions. Soldiers with elves are shouting around them as they flee, gathering the soldiers on patrol.

　I can't deal with each and every one of them, but some of the more responsive soldiers and others have drawn their swords and are coming at me. I pulled out my knife and flicked that sword back and ran through their arms to catch me.

　Right behind me I hear swords clashing, and the next thing I know I hear a muffled man's voice. It's my mother. She's giving chase to the soldier I played my sword on.

　Thanks to that, I'm not being chased from behind by another group of soldiers.

　My mom always does. She doesn't say anything, but covers up my mistakes. And she always corrects me later, as if to tell me off gently.

　It's frustrating.

　Unknowingly, I guess I had the idea that I could do everything.

　I was praised for my housework, I taught Eira-sama, the princess, how to cook, and Yuri-sama praised me for my talent in magic.

　And this time, Taiki-sama asked me to take part in the rescue of the elves. And that's by borrowing one of Taiki-sama's golems.

　I had taken the liberty of thinking that I was on my own.

　I'm ashamed, and I cry.

　I caged the rising emotions directly into my legs and ran. I dodged the swords coming at me, popped them with my knife, and jumped up and ducked the soldiers who were jumping at me.

　Gradually, I caught up with the elves and the soldiers surrounding them.

''I won't let them get away!

　He shouts that and accelerates further. The soldier's back is already in front of me.

'Maia! Watch out!

　I hear my mom shout from behind me.

　Reflexively, I rolled to the side in a single bound. I rolled off my shoulders onto the hard ground, and just as I regained my position and looked up, a large pillar of fire rose right in front of me.

　I was taken aback by the roaring flames.

　Then I realized. That flame is the magic tool used to attack the golem earlier.

　It seems that one of the fleeing soldiers had thrown it without me noticing. Is that soldier an elite one that is different from the others?

''That was a close call.''

　At those words, I turned around and saw my mother there. Her mother was looking at the fleeing soldiers with a stern expression on her face.

'I called out to them because I had a feeling they were about to do something, but I'm glad I got there in time.

　She muttered and her mother laughed at her gently.

''Well mom, I, well...''

　I wanted to apologize, but I couldn't speak well. Then my mother, who had been watching me, looked up, her eyes narrowing sharply.

'We don't have time to talk, do we, Maia? Come on, let's get him this time.

　As her mother uttered that, Taiki-sama's golem stood next to her mother as if she had taken the time to see it.

''....Yeah. I'll catch up this time.

　I said, standing up.