DOGGAGA!

　An explosion rang out from the steel door.
　The door was still standing, but it wasn't faltering. But in the next moment, the door let out a roaring sound and shattered.
　It didn't break, it shattered.

'Come on!　Ladies and gentlemen, please come in.

　Celia's voice echoed.
　The soldiers jumped into the room beyond the door, which was cooled to an ultra-low temperature, so low that their skin would stick to it if they touched it.

''That's as good as it gets. How dare you use the difference in thermal expansion to shatter the door.''

　Celia nodded lightly at Rolf's voice.
　The first time he saw Celia use a flame-based legal technique, Rolf thought she was going to break it due to the high heat that melted the door.
　That's why he stopped Celia to point out the problem afterwards.
　But Celia understood the problem that Rolf was concerned about.
　If you bathe the air around you with a heat so great that it could melt a steel door, the air around you would be like a burning hell.
　It wouldn't be a problem for Celia or Rolf, who could use the legal arts, but it would be fatal for ordinary soldiers.
　You won't be able to enter the room until the air gets cold.
　That's why Celia heated the door with high heat and then cooled the rapidly heated door by using an ice and snow system of legal arts.　She used thermal expansion.


''Come on. We'll go inside too.

　They waded through the soldiers who had stopped near the entrance and entered, and the scourge was in front of them.
　The distinctive, rusty, iron-like smell of blood could be smelled in their noses.

''This is........''

Oh my God...

　They were immensely disappointed.
　Somewhere in the back of their minds they expected it, but they couldn't believe the scene in front of them.

''Oh ... where's your grandfather?''

　Looking around, Celia's eyes are met with the sight of Gaius lying on the floor.
　A distinctive robe. There was no way she could mistake it for something else.



　Celia's knees shattered and she fell to the floor.
　Rolf hurriedly held her, but Celia shook off her hand and ran to Gayes.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on it.
　Even Rolf, who had been in many battles, rarely saw a corpse attacked so mercilessly and relentlessly.
　If you see the back of his head crushed and his face buried on the floor, you can tell that Guyes was either attacked from behind or attacked from a crouching position.
　In addition, considering the fact that his throat was slit when he was lying on his back, the murderer must have stabbed him in the back of the head as his airway was blocked and he was crouched down.

''Who in the world could have done such a horrible thing...''

　Sorrowful words escaped from Rolf's mouth.
　For Rolf, who had killed each other on many battlefields, seeing a corpse normally did not make him feel anything.
　He just thinks that a weak man is dead.
　But not for Guyes.
　He was a comrade in arms who had fought with Rolfe for many years.
　The death of a friend is not something that can be kept in perspective.

''It's obvious!　Summoned, otherworldly man!

　A hateful cry gushed from Celia's mouth.
　The fire of anger at the murder of her grandfather dwells darkly in her eyes.
　When he saw the fire in her eyes, Rolf struggled to control his own shaken mind.
　The two men in command cannot lose their composure.
(No wonder........they were even closer than father and son.......)

　Celia's parents died when she was a child. They were killed in a war with a neighboring country.
　After that, it was her grandfather, Guyes, who took her in and raised her.
　He was not only Celia's legal master, but also her only flesh and blood relative. So it was only natural that Celia had taken him in.

　But her cries made Rolf suspicious.

'But Celia-dono. Otherworldly people are indeed powerful pawns if you raise them, but if you've just summoned them, they're completely weak, right? Unlike here, there is no war in the other world, and I'm told they don't allow people to carry weapons.

But!

Certainly, the only thing that is suspicious at this point in time is a summoned otherworlder, but that doesn't mean there aren't other possibilities.

　He gently tasted Celia's defenses.
　There was no other choice than to have her calm down now.
　You have to avoid letting Celia's passions drag you away from the killer.

''The first thing we have to do is to properly assess the situation and find out exactly what happened.

　Under Rolf's admonition, Celia's face gradually tightens.
　She is so gifted that she has been appointed as a deputy court jury master at a young age.
　As she listens to Rolf's words, she remembers her role and responsibility and calms her mind.

''I'm sorry. It is as you say, Master Rolf.''

　Rolf stopped Celia from bowing her head and gave a series of orders to the soldiers.

I want to know if the fallen soldier is alive or dead!　And make sure that the man in the funny clothes lying there is dead for sure!　The rest of you will search this room. See if there's a hole or something we can get out of.　And ... what else do you have?　Lady Celia?

　Celia shook her head at Rolf's question.
　Although she was beginning to regain her composure, the death of her immediate family still affected her mind.
　Her brain had not yet regained its cleverness.


'Master Rolf!　Dear Celia!

He's alive. He's alive!

　A short while later, a soldier who had been checking the lives and deaths of the fallen soldiers called Rolf and Celia.

''What!'' Is it true?

　When Rolf and Celia ran up to him, there was a soldier lying in a pool of blood.

''Ro........Rolf-sama.......''

　The voice escaping from his mouth at an interruption is indeed from the soldier who was believed to be this corpse.

''What is it?　What's wrong with you?

What?　What happened?

　The only living witness.
　Both Rolf and Celia heard it out loud.

''........Ruf-sama the monster.......''

　The two men's complexion changed as they heard the soldier's words.
　They were the only living witnesses to what had happened in this room.

'What?!　It's a monster.

　Rolf's complexion changed as he heard the words that bothered him in the soldier's words.
　Celia also panicked, wondering if her grandfather had had an accident with his summoning technique and summoned an unplanned alien creature.

''What do you mean by that!　Stay with me.

Guy..... but...

　They desperately want to ask questions, but the words leaking from the soldiers' mouths are unclear and have no clear meaning.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

''I........this is not good. Somebody!　Somebody get this man under the doctor's care!

Speak up!　Grandfather, Grandfather, what did you do?　What's that monster about?

　Stopping Celia, who was desperately trying to question him, Rolf placed the soldier on the stretcher that had been brought in and ordered him to rush to the infirmary.

'Why?!　Why did you stop it!

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get a good idea of what to expect.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the situation.
　I'm not sure if it's the difference in experience after all.
　Even though she has the ability, Celia still seems to have difficulty controlling her emotions.
　Even though she had finally regained her composure, hearing the soldier's words of 'monster' disturbed her mind again.
　Granted, if my respected grandfather might have died as a result of a failed summoning technique, it might be inevitable.

''But if I questioned him like that, that fellow might have died.

　To Celia, who is devouring him, Rolf suppresses his emotions as much as possible and coldly tells her only the facts.
　Rolf's words are a legitimate argument. Because if I forced them to interrogate him now, that bloody soldier would have died.
　But that doesn't reach Celia's heart.
　She truly believes that getting information about her grandfather is more important than the life of a single soldier.

''That is true, though. Shouldn't we now confirm what happened rather than that man's life?

　So Celia struggles to resist Rolf's admonition.
　Even though she herself understands that Rolf's words are correct, her mind dismisses the decision.　
　But Rolf patiently puts the situation in perspective and calms Celia's mind.

'Certainly it is important, but it seems that only that man knows everything. I don't think any meaningful information could have been obtained by interrogating that person with his injuries intact. It would be meaningless if he died before we could get any information out of him by questioning him. Even if it takes some time, it would be better to wait for him to recover and check it out later, right?

　If Rolf says that much to you, it's hard to say it's unreasonable for Celia.
　Rolf's words are correct.
　What she can't agree with is the part of her emotions as a bereaved family member whose immediate family members were sacrificed.

''Hmm.......I understand. I believe Rolfe-sama's decision is correct. I'm sorry for being so distraught.

　Sighing heavily, Celia's mind regained its composure.
　This is the result of the fact that the amount of burden on her mind is reduced as much as the amount she takes on Rolf.
　No matter how much of a genius she is, the difference in experience that comes from her age cannot be helped.

''But what kind of monster is that thing he said...?

Well, you can find out more slowly after that soldier's injuries are healed. For now, let's start with what we can do.

　Rolf calmly replies to Celia's words and orders the soldiers to resume their search during the summons.

　However, as it turns out, Rolf's decision will backfire.


'Ta! Oh, my God! Master Rolf~! The infirmary! The infirmary!

!

　A soldier rushed into the summoning room.
　His urgent voice clearly told me that this was an emergency.

'Calm down!　What's wrong with you?!

　Rolf's angry voice echoed throughout the room.
　The angry soldier was pushed by Rolf's swordsmanship and began to frantically report back to him, out of breath.

''Ha!　There's an unexplained fire in the infirmary that's spreading fast and has spread to the medicine cabinet.

'What?　What happened to the fire!　Is someone on their way to put out the fire?!

　Rolf interrupted the soldier's report midway through and exclaimed.
　There are several flammable materials stored in the medicine cabinet that would promote combustion.
　Besides, we just sent a wounded man to the infirmary a few minutes ago, the only living witness. And that was the only living witness.

No....no. The court magicians were immediately notified, and the fire is now extinguished.

　After hearing the soldier's report, Rolf regained some composure.
　He was relieved that at least the worst-case scenario of the palace catching fire had been prevented.

　Rolf asked Celia.
　He asked Celia, because a doubt had begun to grow in his mind.

'Lord Celia. What do you think?

It's unnatural...



Yes it's just too many things coming together.

　Rolf thought about it.
　An answer had come to him, though.
　But that's not what his common sense tells him to do.

'I have one theory that could explain the current situation. But.....

Do you think that's impossible?

　Celia could guess exactly what Rolf was thinking.
　And what might be the reason for not being able to say.

'I don't know...'

　Rolf shook his head again.
　Speculation is only speculation. And it wasn't speculation that Rolf wanted. It was absolute certainty.


'I will report back to you!

　Their conversation was interrupted by the reports of the soldiers who had ended their search.

'Mm, report!'

I'm aware of the death of a soldier.

And then?　How did he die?

　The soldiers look at each other at Celia's question.
　It seems hard to report.

''What's wrong!　Speak up! How did he die?

　A single soldier stepped forward to represent him under Celia's swordsmanship.

''Oh........probably by bare hands.......''

What!　Bare-knuckled?　How do you know?

　Rolf listens back, his voice hoarse.

'There are two bodies that I believe have had their throats crushed, and there are clear finger marks on them...'

　Another soldier continued.

'The cause of death of the body I've identified is a crushed neck bone caused by a blow to the neck from behind. However, there is not a scratch on the armor and helmet, and there are no signs that he was killed with a weapon.

　Another one said.

'And there's something else I'm curious about...'

'What?　Let's be clear!

　Even the normally mild-mannered Rolf could not hide his irritation.
　But that's not surprising.

''Ha!　It's a burnt-out corpse with a face that appears to be from another world, but the.... the... belt on his pants...

　Exposed to Rolf's angry voice, the soldier was frightened and desperate to continue his report.

'What is it!　Speak up!

　To Celia's irritation, the soldier flinched and reported frantically.

'Ha!　There is no belt in the trousers. In that condition, the pants would fall off the corpse. I don't know how you're going to be able to fight...

　Hearing that, Celia and Rolf, both of their complexions quickly change.

''Sheesh!　Lord Rolf!

　After leaving that, Celia runs out of the room like the wind.

''You guys, be on guard inside the castle!

　Rolf ordered his soldiers to do so and followed Celia.
　Various things combined to cause their brains to draw one conclusion.

'I guess my hunch was right.'

　Rolf calls out to Celia, who is ahead of him, from behind.

''Yes. In the meantime, it will be clearer if we check in the infirmary.......''

'But then, that would mean that you're an otherworldly person with the art of fighting...'

''Yes. And that's enough to kill four armed soldiers and a lawman the size of your grandfather all together...

That much power in the early days...

　A chill ran down Rolf's back.
　An otherworldly person with that much power is prowling around in this palace.
''I'll catch them!
　When he decided to do so, he let his entire body gather strength.

　The two of them, who were physically strengthening themselves with the surgery, ran to the front of the infirmary in about 30 seconds.


''It looks like the fire is extinguished as reported........''

　The area around the infirmary and the medicine cabinet attached to it was flooded, probably due to the use of flowing water-based legal techniques.
　A young man notices their arrival and walks up to them.

I'm not sure if I'm right. How can I help you?

Orlando. Where's the fire?

　In response to Celia's question, Orlando turned his attention to the extinguished infirmary and said

'No problem. The fire is spinning so fast that the infirmary is burnt to a crisp, but they managed to extinguish it before it jumped to the other rooms. It's just that........

　Orland's mouth was slurred.

'Orland!　I'm in a hurry!　"Just" what? There was a man injured in the infirmary from the summons just now!　Who's that?

I just found three bodies in the infirmary, but I don't think they were killed by fire. And we're missing one body and I don't know about the guy who got hurt but he's not...

　I heard Celia gasp.
　It was because I realized that their prediction had been correct.

'How did you know we were short?'

　Orlando answered Rolfe's question.

'Yes, sir. One of the doctors had just left the infirmary to take a break, and I understand that two soldiers came in with a wounded man on a stretcher.

　Rolf and Celia looked at each other and nodded to each other.
(Just as I thought.)

"So?

　Rolf and Celia's voices overlap.

The injured seemed to be in pretty bad shape and were immediately put to bed. But when the fire was extinguished, I checked the infirmary and found only three dead bodies on the floor. The bed was empty...

　At that point Celia interrupted Orlando's words.
　We've already obtained the necessary information. The only thing left to do is to act.

''Orlando!　Form a squad of sorcerers, now!　Master Rolfe, please assemble the Kingsguard!　I will ask Your Majesty to permit the use of soldiers!　The rendezvous is in the courtyard.

Celia interrupts Orlando's words and skips the instructions.

'I know it by heart!'

Well ... wait a minute, Lord Celia. I have no idea....

　Unable to grasp the situation, Orlando is frightened by Celia's swordsmanship as he visits.

''For goodness sake, Orlando-dono, you must follow Celia-dono's instructions!

Orlando, please!　We don't have time. I'll let him go!

　Orland's expression changed at Celia's desperate cry.
　Even though he's usually unreliable, he's a court jury of the third seat.
　He's participated in battles before, so he's bold in situations like this.
　He could tell from Celia's voice that it was an emergency, and he switched his mind from normal to the battlefield.

''How many troops?''

　It's a low, cold voice.
　It's hard to believe it's someone who had been upset earlier.

'Let me out as much as you can!　The person you're dealing with is a pretty dangerous one. As a matter of urgency, I'll allow the use of legalese!

　Celia gave permission for the use of the Transfiguration legal technique, which is forbidden to be used in the palace.
　That is proof that it is a first class emergency.

''I understand." O Meneose, the Supreme God of Light. According to my covenant with Thee. Give me the gift of transference!

　Realizing this, Orlando quickly chanted a spell.
　He instantly transferred to the legal team's quarters.

"As expected of a third seat Dharma Master. I didn't know you could transfer in such a short chant.

'Of course. I'm your grandfather's disciple. You should be able to do that, you know.

　Celia then turned her hand towards Rolf.

'Master Rolf, we are running out of time!　I will transfer Master Rolf to the quarters of the Kingsguard on my end. Please take care of the formation of the troops.

I will. But I'm asking for permission from His Majesty!

'Yes!　I'm going." Meneose, Supreme Being of Light, show me your power!　Call this man to the land! Transmigration (teleportation)."

　Seeing that Rolf had disappeared, Celia began chanting again.
　To chase the shadow of the unseen killer.

"'O Meneose, the Supreme God of Light! According to my covenant with Thee. Bless me with the blessing of transference, transference [teleportation]."