My words about why Sophia was here were drowned out by the roaring sound.
　A red lotus flame rose before the entrance of the hall, instantly extinguishing some of the waiters there to charcoal.
　The next moment, a blast rolled up and loomed over us.

''Filia-sama!''

　I quickly grabbed Filia's arm with my left hand and pulled her towards me.　
　The flames and blast were right in front of me.
　I pulled the treasured sword tetracord from its sheath at my waist and swung it to the side with my right hand.
　Then the flames that attacked us were drowned out.

　Relieved, I patted my chest.
　I managed to avoid the first blow.
　In a sudden battle, the unexpected first attack is the scariest.
　In other words, if you can avoid that, the rest is manageable.

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

Uh-huh.

　When I look down, I see Filia's cheeks turn bright red.
　I quickly hug Filia, but this results in me putting my hands behind my back and hugging Filia from behind.
　Filia lets out a small gasp.

'Ah, hmm, that hurts, Solon.

I'm sorry.

　In a hurry I loosened my hand to hold Filia.
　I was in too much of a hurry to hold Filia too tightly.
　However, I couldn't let go of Filia just yet.
　He had no idea what was going on or what the situation was at all.

''Solon!　And Filia!　Are you okay?

　Lucy calls out to me with her magic wand at the ready.
　Then she sulks as she sees me holding Filia close.

'Is Filia more important to you than me?'

I'm sure you can take care of yourself.

　I said back, dumbfounded.
　I don't think this is the time to be talking about that.
　Lucy the Crimson, and Saint Sophia would be able to defend herself, but Filia isn't.
　That's why I have to do something about it.

　Come to think of it, I wonder what happened to Sophia.
　I looked back, but Sophia was nowhere to be seen.

　Meanwhile, the guards were beginning to fortify the entrance to the hall.
　Someone had broken in and carried out a terrorist attack, so it was a reasonable decision to prevent any more enemies from entering.
　We're right next to the entrance too, so we'd be grateful if they could keep the enemy from getting in.

　But the next moment, the guards screamed.

　The bodies of the guards were torn apart and fresh blood flooded the air.
　In an instant, a pile of corpses formed on the spot.
　The man who had killed them was an elderly man.

'Do you remember, gentlemen, the tragedy of the 9th of July?

　The man grasped his staff and said in a calm voice.
　He was dressed in fine ceremonial attire and wore a ring with a coat of arms.
　In other words, he was a nobleman and one who had been invited to this inauguration.

'Isn't he Count Polos!　Are you distraught?

　It was Gillan, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, who shouted in surprise.
　He was already badly wounded and was kneeling in front of his murderer, Count Polos, with a pale face.
　Polos smiled thinly.

''I'm sane,''

Killing a sentry in the palace would be high treason. The Earl will not be exempt from the death penalty.

No, I think it's Lord Gillan who's not in his right mind, isn't it?

What do you mean?

You don't get it. You're dead.

　Polos raised his staff.
　If it had stayed up, Gillan would have been killed by Polos' magic as well.
　But he did not die.

'Isn't it a bit violent to kill someone without any good persuasion?

　I said, blocking Polos' attack with my treasure sword.
　I left it to Lucy to protect Filia, and I jumped in front of Poros.
　I don't have any obligation to protect Gillan, but if I'm concerned about Filia's safety, it's best to eliminate the original attacker.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier, but I'm not sure I'll be able to return to combat anytime soon, given the extent of my injuries.
　Gillan groaned.

'Run, Solon. It's our job to protect this Imperial Palace.''

　I wondered what he was saying when he was weaker than me, but I could take it as a sign of Gillan's strong sense of mission.
　Looking at me, Polos murmured in admiration, "Ho.

''You're quite good at preventing my wind slashing magic method.

"You're very flattered by my compliments, Count.

'So you are Soron the Magician. I've heard of that treasure sword, Tetracord, too. I suppose it enhances all kinds of magic and skills to a fairly high level.

''Unfortunately, it's only 'pretty expensive' and none of them are top-notch, but the variety of enhancements could be said to be extensive.''

　Thanks to the Treasure Sword Tetrachord, I can use a reasonable level of attack magic without chanting, and I have enough defense to withstand a normal level of magic attacks.
　The attack power as a pure sword is also excellent, and it comes with a variety of useful skills as an added bonus.
　In short, it's the perfect sword for me, a dexterity-poor man.

　Polos said in a stern tone.

'Gillan said I was insane. But if you ask me, it's madness to side with the bloodthirsty, murderous emperor. Even you know that. The tragedy of the 9th of July.

　The tragedy of July 9 was a massacre of the people by the Imperial Army.
　In the summer of two years ago, people living a hard life flooded the Imperial Palace in droves.
　They were without arms and seeking the salvation of the Emperor.
　But when the emperor and his entourage saw the unusual state of affairs, they were terrified and ordered the army to kill them.
　The bodies of countless citizens slaughtered by the military's magical attack lay in the main street in front of the Imperial Palace. Some of them were said to be still young children.
　With this incident, the people's trust in the Emperor began to grow. As a result of this incident, the people's faith in the Emperor was eroded.

"Remember the 9th of July. This is the motto of the July 9th, we, the July Party, will never forget it. We must eliminate the evil soldiers and politicians and the emperor.

　The words indicated that Polos was a member of the July Party.
　The July Party is a revolutionary party that seeks to overthrow the imperial government.

　The abolition of monarchy and slavery. Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of status. Equal distribution of wealth to all peoples. An end to the war by immediate peace with the neighbouring countries.
　That was what they sought in the July Party.

''I had heard rumors that there were aristocrats among the members of the July Party, but it was true.

'I am a nobleman, but because I am a nobleman, I have a duty to save my people. Are you on the side of the emperor or on the side of this country?

　Polos asked me, and I replied.

''At least, I'm not on the side of the Counts. What difference does this way make? The July Party assassinated the Minister of the Interior, but that still didn't change anything. Even if they killed the Emperor, nothing will change.''

It will change. Only after everything has been destroyed will the ideal world truly come. I want the Emperor and Chancellor Straus dead.

''Is that why you killed innocent palace servants and guards?

　I point to the charred bodies of the servants and the mutilated bodies of the guards.
　Poros said without changing his color.

'A necessary sacrifice.'

'If you say so, then the Countess is no different from the emperors the Countess hates. I am your enemy.

　That was the signal for the start of the battle.
　And Polos wasn't the only attacker of the July Party, the battle had already begun in various parts of the Imperial Palace as well.