I was forced to make a choice.

　One way is to return to the Order and stop the reckless attack on Necropolis.

　If Notaras is right, if we can convince them, some of the Order's leaders will be on our side.

　This is because the cadres would know that the Necropolis attack would cost a lot of money, and they would be frustrated about Arte's blunder.

　For example, the executive's mechanic, Lailen Remilia, is a woman with a strong sense of justice and would not allow Arte to have his way.
　She was also said to be in favor of my return.

　However, on the contrary, a confrontation with the female sage Arte, the leader of the attack on the Necropolis, the guardian warrior Galerus, who hates me, and the new deputy commander Creon and the others who kicked me out, was inevitable.

　Not a few other executives and corps members will also side with Arte and the others.
　Although it would be good if we could only end up persuading them in peace, the possibility of proceeding to a confrontation by the use of force is not unlikely.

　Our side's sure cards are me, Summoner Notaras, and Saint Sophia, but even if Mechanic Lairen Remilia and the others joined them as allies, I'm not sure if they would stand a chance in a battle with Arte and the others.

　Moreover, Sofia had said she wanted to leave the Order, and now they would have to drag her into another battle.

　The other way is to turn a blind eye to it.

　The casualties caused by Arte's campaign to capture the Necropolis are silenced as unavoidable.
　And if the Knights try to bring back Saint Sophia, I'll passively stop them from doing so.

　At least, as far as I'm concerned, I was kicked out of the Knights and have no righteousness to the Knights.
　I'm not obligated to risk it and stop Arte.

　That way, you can continue to be the master of Princess Filia and keep your promise to Filia.

　But is that enough?

　The non-leadership members are also fellow members of the Order that I recruited and gathered.
　It pains me to leave them to go to their deaths.

''Let me think about it for a moment.

　In the end, I couldn't decide and asked Notaras to wait for an answer.
　Notaras nodded as if it was unavoidable.

'We do not have much time. You have until tomorrow to make a decision.

　The execution of the Necropolis attack operation is already in sight, and many members of the group, including Arte and other executives, are already on their way to the Imperial City.

　However, it seems that Creon is not one of them.

''Hey, Notaras. Why do you think Creon doesn't oppose this kind of plan?

Well, I don't understand. Ever since Lord Solon disappeared, he's been a changed man.

　In the past, Creon would not have approved of such a forceful method of capturing the ruins.

　Now, however, Creon himself is said to be making the attack on the ruins proceed at an excruciating pace, and is overworking the group members.

　Creon should have been a sensible and kind guy.
　Why is that Creon doing this?

　It might be a good idea to talk to Creon directly once.

　If only Creon would approve of Sofia's exit from the Order, we would be much closer to solving the problem.

　I tried to lead Notaras to the front door.

　I heard that Notaras will visit this mansion again tomorrow.
　I would have to tell him what I would do then.

　Notaras suddenly remembered and told me.

'Come to think of it, Lord Solon. I've heard that this is the most famous wine region on the outskirts of the Imperial City.

Yeah. You wanna go home with a bottle?

I would very much like to have that as well. I have a weakness for good wine.

　Notaras's eyes sparkled behind his glasses.
　Notaras is quite a drinker, and he knows a lot about wine.

　I decided to take him to the mansion's wine cellar.
　He would be more than happy to browse through some of the brands there.

　And when I opened the hallway door to the vaults, something unexpected happened.
　There was the Princess Filia there.

'Yes, Solon. I'm sorry.

　Filia smiled a troubled smile and compared my face to Notaras'.