I held my treasure sword tetracord at the ready.
　Theodora, on the other hand, also glanced at the two people behind me.
　It would be a signal to start the battle.

　The sorcerers standing behind Theodora unleashed their attack magic.
　A wave of fire burning in the red lotus is coming at us.
　Although Filia is in danger at this rate, there is no need to panic.
　I flashed my treasure sword and stepped forward.

　At the same time I swing my sword, the flames around me disappear.
　The sorcerers looked astonished.
　I closed the distance between me and one of the sorcerers and poked him in the throat with the hilt of my sword.
　With a gulp, the sorcerer made a painful sound and collapsed.

　The best feature of a magic swordsman was that he could defend and attack at the same time, all by himself.
　Wielding the treasure sword Tetracord, he dispels the enemy's magic and then cuts straight into the enemy.
　That was my style of combat.
　This is how I fought while protecting Saint Sophia and Holy Knight Creon, who were not so strong in the past.

　I flip my sword around and give the other sorceress a flaming magic.
　Pale flames clung around his body.
　The sorcerer looks at his burning clothes and screams out.

''Gyaaah!''

That's okay. It's not enough to kill you.

　I muttered and gave the sorcerer a quick kick to the man's stomach.
　With a gulp, a strange sound came out of his mouth, and the sorcerer passed out.
　There was only one man left.
　Theodora was the only one who held the dagger.
　Theodora turned pale and still stared straight at us.
　You don't lose your will to resist when four of your friends are defeated and you're the only one in the end.
　I know it's a big deal, but honestly, I'd like to see you surrender quickly.

'Can we stop now?　It's quite tiring to fight you guys while holding back from dying.

　Theodora backed away as if frightened.

'Now you're going easy on me with this!

If you fight with the intention of killing him, Miss Theodora would be dead by now.

　I said as curtly as possible.
　We're one step closer to Theodora losing her will to fight. It should be one more push.
　But Theodora suddenly smiled.

''If we can't win anyway, I can't afford to choose my means either.

What do you mean?

Here's the thing!

　Theodora quickly threw the dagger away.
　The weapon with a clean arc flew straight towards Filia.

''Solon!''

　As soon as Filia screamed, I swung my sword and knocked the dagger off.
　But in the next moment, Theodora grabbed a second dagger and jumped at us.

''I was planning to leave your highness Filia alive, but now that it's come to this, I'm going to ask you to die here!

　Theodora shouted and thrust the dagger out towards Filia.
　I stood in front of Filia and caught the dagger with my sword.
　As it was, I flicked the dagger back.
　Theodora's aim was off. It's impossible to kill Filia now.
　Theodora looks frustrated and tries to step back and run away.
　I followed it and flashed my sword at her.
　Theodora tried to catch my attack with her dagger, but failed.
　The dagger shattered as it was unable to support the slash of the Treasure Sword Tetracord.

''It's over.''

　I said shortly and cast a spell on Theodora.
　Theodora collapsed on the spot, unconscious.
　A simple coma spell. She wouldn't wake up for a while.

　Relieved, I sheathed my sword.
　Then I turned around.
　Filia was staring at me with a tearful look on her face.
　I smiled at her.

''Are you alright, Filia-sama?''

Uh-huh. I'm fine. It's a credit to Solon, isn't it?

Weren't you scared?

I was scared. I was scared shitless.

　Shaking her small body, Filia said.

　In all likelihood, I had taken care that Filia would not be harmed, and even when Theodora threw the dagger, I was able to prevent the attack without any worries from my point of view.
　But it should have been different for Filia.
　An opponent with the intention of killing you is coming at you.
　A weapon to kill someone looms in front of you.
　It must have been incredibly frightening for a 14-year-old girl to see that.

'But it's all right now,'

Yes. And that's why Solon was so protective of me.

　Filia took a deep breath and eventually calmed down and smiled softly.

''I........want to be like Solon.

　As Filia said this, she slowly approached me and hugged me.
　Scared, I hurriedly tried to hold Filia back, but before I could, Filia's small hands were around my back.
　She squeezed me tightly, her cheeks flushed, and she looked up at me.

'Thank you. 'Solon,'

Uh, you're welcome.

　Seeing my confusion, Filia giggled with a blush on her face.

''If Clarice sees me like this, she'll get mad at me for being 'petty'.

'Ah, Lady Filia. I'm very sorry to say this, but Mr. Clarice can see it.

What?

　I pointed behind Filia.
　A girl in a maid's outfit was standing there.
　She had short flaxen hair and a small animal-like appearance.
　It's the maid, Clarice.
　Clarice's face turned bright red, and then she murmured.

'Filia-sama, and Solon-sama. You are so bold!'