Now, Your Highness. Get some sleep.

　I jumped out of the way almost as soon as Theodora said that and took the small staff out of his pocket.

　As I swung my sword down at Theodora, Theodora quickly dodged and drew her dagger.
　It wasn't a mere maid move.
　It's probably that a secret society agent was originally hiding in the Imperial Palace as a maid.
　Theodora's fellow men from left and right are coming towards me, swinging their swords.

　But they are slow and just forceful in their attacks.
　As I quickly retreated, the two men from the other direction, coming from the left and right, almost attacked each other and tried to back away in a hurry.
　At that moment, I knocked off the enemy's sword on the right and slammed it into his side of the head.
　I didn't kill him. It was a peaked strike.

　Almost at the same time, I cast a spell on the enemy from the left to put him to sleep.
　It's the power of the Treasure Sword Tetracord that allows me to use a reasonable amount of magic almost instantly without chanting.
　Unfortunately, it's not my own talent.

　I walked around in front of Filia and looked at Theodora.

''Now it's one against three. What do you think, Theodora?''

"Are you a daytime tutor...?

Yes. Or Sorcerer Solon, as he's called.

　Two of her companions gasped as they moved behind Theodora.
　The reputation of being strong helps.
　Soron the Magic Swordsman is supposed to be one of the strongest adventurers.
　Even if he actually has a fallen reputation, he might be able to awe his enemies and make them lose the will to fight.
　Theodora spits abominably.

''Why is the vice-captain of the Knights of St. Sophia in a place like this?

Because I'm Lady Filia's tutor.

　I smiled and replied.

'It's too much trouble to make a scene, isn't it?　Can't we make a deal around here?

A hand strike...?

"You'll get Lady Phyllia and Miss Clarice back. I will not tolerate you running away. What do you say?

　To be honest, it's quite scary to fight while ensuring Filia's safety.
　Even if you're on your own, it's quite difficult to protect a helpless person.
　If that's the case, the safest thing to do is not to fight.
　For the other side, since an unexpected situation has occurred, it would be a rational decision to retreat for once.
　However, Theodora seemed to have lost her composure.

''Such immorality, to have Solon, the hero of the demon race's defeat, allying with the demon's daughter, do you think we'll miss it?

I guess that means we're breaking off negotiations.

"Solon the Sorcerer will die for siding with the Devil. And we will capture the demon's daughter, Princess Filia, to make an example of her. That's the only plot we can hope to pull off.

　It seemed that the battle was unavoidable.
　Theodora seemed to be stronger than the two men he defeated earlier, and the two sorcerers behind him would probably support Theodora.
　Moreover, they couldn't kill a maid who was serving in the imperial palace.
　Theodora needs to be caught alive and turned in as the culprit for Clarice's kidnapping.　

　I didn't look back, but spoke to Filia behind me.

'I know you're scared, but please stay put,'

I'm not a child. I'm not afraid of you.

'I was and still am afraid when I'm in a fight. I might die.

　Then there was the sound of Filia gasping for air.
　Then Filia murmured.

'I'm sorry, Solon. I didn't tell you I was the daughter of the devil.

Either way, it doesn't change the fact that Lady Filia is my apprentice.

Thank you. Solon, may I have the victory.

'As a master, I have to set an example. I will surely bring Lady Filia the victory and show her the ending she wants.

　I readied my treasure sword tetracord.