Everyone present was silent when they read the headline in the daily newspaper.
　It said that the Knights of St. Sophia had decisively invaded the Necropolis, and moreover, the Imperial government would fully support it.

　A giggle broke the silence.
　It was Arte's voice.

　Arte continued in a good-natured manner, with life returning to his face.

''We can't stop the flow that has begun to move. The attack on Necropolis, you know, is already a decision. Creon-senpai has finished preparing everything.

As long as we can convince Creon and the others to abort the attack on Necropolis, we should be able to stop it now.

　I murmured, but when Arte heard this, a look of mockery came over his beautiful face.

'It's no use. 'It says the government will help, doesn't it?　Do you think it's possible to overturn a government decision now?　The problem isn't just with the Knights of St. Sophia anymore.

　Arte's words may be true.

　According to newspaper reports, the Minister of State Guardianship, Gudin, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army, Raevl, and Chancellor Stras have all issued official statements welcoming the Knights of the Order's invasion of Necropolis.

　The capture of Necropolis had become a national project.

　It may be to distract the people from the war they are losing, but it's a big deal nonetheless.
　Nevertheless, the Necropolis may be worth it.

　Necropolis is the capital of an ancient kingdom that fell two thousand years ago.
　The ruins of Necropolis lie deep underground, and in its innermost depths are said to be the hidden treasures of the ancient kingdom's technological and financial resources.

　More importantly, the Necropolis is rich and diverse in mineral deposits, and if it could be captured, it would be a wonderful thing for the Empire's rapidly industrializing government.

　However.

　There is a reason why Necropolis has not been conquered in spite of such advantages.

　The enemies are simply too strong.

　The demon clans of Necropolis, even those in the shallow hierarchy of the ruins, are said to be as powerful as the head of the demon clan in the deepest part of an ordinary ruin.

　In fact, most of the survey teams sent in the past had died before they reached the deepest part of the ruins, and some of them included legendary adventurers who could be called heroes.

　Furthermore, although I don't know if it's true, one of the demon kings who destroyed the ancient kingdom is said to be sleeping in the deepest part of the ruins.

　In short, it's reckless to challenge such ruins, no matter how reckless the Knights of St. Sophia are.

　If it were me, I wouldn't choose such a place as a target for attack.
　Adventure is not something that you should risk your life for, but it's important to ensure that you win and obtain sufficient results.

　Creon once lost his precious companion, Sia, in a battle at the ruins.
　So you should know very well that you shouldn't do something so reckless.

　I'm no longer a member of the Order, but there are many of my former comrades left among the ordinary members.
　When I think of them being in danger, I can't remain calm.

　Clarice pointed to the second half of the daily paper.

'There is another problem. According to this article, the Order of St. Sophia is going to be gone.''

"There will be no more Knights of St. Sophia?

Yes, sir.

　I read the part that Clarice's fingertips indicated.

　The Knights of St. Sophia will be merged with several powerful organizations such as the Basileus Adventurers, the Knights of the Golden Tower, and the Second Division of the Imperial Army's Ruins Investigation Department, and will undergo a developmental dissolution.

　In other words, it seems that a new adventurer group will be created with the Knights of St. Sophia as its core in the capture of Necropolis.

　Its name is the Creon Salvation Knights.
　As the name suggests, the new leader is the Holy Knight Creon.

　The headlines in the newspapers say that the Knights of St. Sophia will capture the dead city of Necropolis, but in reality, the new organization led by Creon will capture the Necropolis.

"I can't believe you're doing this without consulting me...

　Rylen Remilia, the mechanic who had been silent until then, groaned.

　The Knights of St. Sophia, the strongest adventuring group in the Empire, the Knights of St. Sophia that me, Sophia, Creon and the others had created, would be gone.
　As expected, I froze for a while.

　What could this mean?

　Sophia, the leader of the group, is gone, and the unity of the knights is weakening.
　It may be a measure to rebuild it.
　If we bring in a large number of talented people from the outside, we can also reinforce the strength of the forces that Sophia left to some extent.
　If that's the case, will Creon and the others give up on Saint Sophia's return to the Order with this?

　At that time, Princess Filia opened the door vigorously and entered.

''Solon!　We have a visitor!

　I hurriedly stood up, and the other seven got up from their seats as well.
　Then I put my hand on my chest and bowed to Filia grudgingly.

　It was a courtesy to Filia, the imperial princess.
　According to that Filia, a government person is coming to the entrance of the mansion.

　I chided Filia.

''Filia-sama it's dangerous, so please don't go out to answer the door alone.

But I didn't have Solon and Clarice there. Besides, I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't belong.

　Indeed, all of the people in this mansion, including Clarice, the maid, were all in this parlor.

　And then there are more visitors coming in.
　I asked Clarice to let the visitors through.

　There were five or so visitors, all wearing brown uniforms with gold lines in some places.
　All of them seemed to be from the Urban Gendarmerie, which polices crime throughout the city. They had rushed to the scene after a call from Notaras.
　The Urban Gendarmerie is an excellent organization known for its strict discipline.

　There was a familiar human in the center of it.
　It's Gillan, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard.
　He was the one who once fought a duel against me and Filia living in the same room.

''It's been a long time, Solon. Do you remember me, I'm Gillan, the former vice-captain of the Imperial Guard?

"Ex?

I was forced to quit my post as second-in-command because of my failure in the July Party attack.

'I'm sorry to hear that. So you've been transferred to the military police?

You're right. You saved my life during the July Party attack. I'd like to thank you for that.

　Gillan then looked at Arte Karelia Flora and opened his mouth to look at the three of them.
　I could imagine what Gillan was going to say.

''The charges of attempting to kidnap the Princess and assaulting a noblewoman, are not light. Gentlemen, I'm taking you into custody!''

　At the same time as their voices, the people of the military police detained the three men at the same time.
　None of the three people resisted and were handcuffed and taken away by the military police.

　Well, it's no wonder that Arte is treated as a criminal.
　But Flora, who murmured with tears in her eyes, "That's true," was probably just listening to what Arte was saying, and I felt a little sorry for her.

　But then Arte glanced back at me around the entrance.
　Arte had a chuckle and a spare smile on his face.

　What did he mean by that?
　I wonder if there's still a plan for Arte.

　Maybe he shouldn't have handed them over to the Kempeitai.

　But it was already too late.
　If we challenged the Kempeitai right now, we would be the criminals.

　Gillan knelt to the Princess Filia and spoke of his resignation.