With a shout from the summoner Notaras, six demons emerged from the ground.
　They were corroded, murky looking, beast-like monsters.

　Each of them was plugged with a silver trinket that resembled a key.
　It was a tool to control the demon race.

　The use of demons, who are essentially the enemies of humanity, is very dangerous.
　The demons must be made to be on your side, and if they rebel or run away, it will be a big problem.

　That's why a silver key-shaped tool, the "King's Key," is embedded in the body of the demons.
　The tool, said to have been created by the last king of the ancient kingdom, has been improved and is highly effective in subjugating the demons it serves.

　Moreover, an experienced summoner could add this key to the demon tribe at the same time as summoning them.
　It was an essential item for a summoner.

''My people will take care of the members of the group except for the executives. Lord Solon and Sophia-sama, you can concentrate on fighting the two executives.

All right. Notaras, thank you.

No problem.

　Notaras replied nimbly and took a book from his pocket.
　I've heard that the grimoire is as important to summoners as the staff and the 'King's Key'.

　This is because the summoning demon race fights with the strengthening and commands provided by the grimoire.

''Come on, go!　My servant, my servant!

　With Notaras's command, the six demons rushed towards the Heidan members all at once.

　While watching them, I stood in front of Saint Sophia.
　I was the vanguard and Sophia was the rear guard.

　Saint Sophia has overwhelming power, but she can't defend herself by herself alone.
　I'll be the one to protect her as a shield, while Sophia will be the one to attack.

'Please, Sophia.

Take care of me, Mr. Solon.

　We called out to each other and held our respective weapons at the ready.

　The enemy would also have the twin swordsman Karelia as the vanguard for defense and the wise man Arte as the rear guard for attack.
　Since they're the leaders of the Knights of St. Sophia, they're all strong enemies.

　But we're also the former leader and deputy leader of the Knights of St. Sophia.
　We must be able to handle it.
　If I can play the role of a shield and unleash Saint Sophia's power to the fullest, we can win for sure.

　And even if we don't win, as long as we can buy ourselves some time, the secret plan I've been making should be effective.
　Warding isn't the only thing I have to rely on.

　Twin Swordsman Karelia grasped two treasure swords in both hands and pointed them straight at me.
　The blue treasure sword Logos and the vermilion treasure sword Pathos.

　Both treasure swords were used by the Holy Knight Creon in the past.
　Creon obtained the holy sword, a hidden treasure, when he attacked the great labyrinth in the northern part of the Imperial City.

　After that, the treasured swords, Logos and Pathos, were handed over by Creon to Karelia.
　Both swords were not as valuable as the Holy Sword, but they were extremely valuable, and if the twin swordsmen used both of them at the same time, they should be powerful enough to easily break the scales of the black dragon.

　And those two swords would surely have another special meaning to Karelia.
　They were a gift from Creon, whom she respected and favored. Karelia had heard that the two swords were very dear to her.

　Karelia raised her high, girlish voice.

'I'll settle it, Soron the Magic Swordsman!　Even without you, I will prove that the Order is safe as long as Holy Knight Creon-sama is around.

　The next moment, Karelia was right in front of me.
　Probably with the blessing of the wise man Arte, she is increasing her speed.

　Two swords attacked me from the left.
　I managed to catch those swords.

　I swung my treasure sword tetracord and said as I went to fight back.

'I want to ask Karelia. Why didn't Creon himself come to convince Saint Sophia?

'Master Creon is busy!　That gentleman is meeting with a key figure from the Third Department of the Emperor's Secretariat in order to bring the plan to fruition.

　The Third Department of the Czar's Office?
　It's supposed to be a secret police force that reports directly to the Emperor.
　Why would the Vice Commander of the Knights of St. Sophia need the Secret Police?
　I don't know.

　And I don't think that's more important than bringing back Saint Sophia.
　There must be some other reason why Creon hasn't come here.

　I had a feeling that there was,
　I said.

'You left it up to Karelia, of all people, to bring her fiancé back. Creon must be awful, too.'

　The moment I said it, Karelia's sword muscles blurred slightly.
　Maybe, but for Karelia, who loves Creon, it would be complicated for her to have a fiancé named Sophia.

　Even if Sophia doesn't think anything of Creon, at least Creon needs her to the extent of trying to bring the saint Sophia back.
　So Creon is doing a pretty awful job of letting the person he has a crush on bring his fiancée back to him.

　Karelia powerfully swung the azure treasure sword Logos at me, and I passed it off.

''I will not allow you to speak ill of Creon-sama!　I joined this Order because I admired that one!

Creon is a guy with some good points, but he's also a guy with a lot of flaws.

'Don't talk to me like you know everything just because you've known Master Creon for a long time!　I didn't like that about you.

'You won't get Creon's feelings just by yearning for them.

　To Karelia, who was clearly upset, I said calmly and then swung my treasure sword tetracord.

　In addition to the normal slashes, I simultaneously unleashed a flame attack magic at Karelia's feet.
　I'm inferior to Karelia in swordsmanship and far behind Arte in magic.

　However, unlike the two of them, my strength is that I can use both to a reasonable degree.
　Karelia was distracted by the flames at her feet, and she lost her posture slightly to avoid them.

　The blade of the Treasure Sword Tetracord loomed there.
　However, the blade of the Tetracord did not reach Karelia.

　It was because Arte had deployed a magical barrier in front of Karelia.
　From a distance, Arte chuckled and ruffled her beautiful black hair.

''No matter how strong the saint-sama is, as long as her seniors are less than third-rate, they won't be able to beat us.

　Then the wise man Arte waved his willow staff wide.