Is Creon here?

　I didn't think it was possible, but it's not strange when you think about it.
　The overall commander of the Necropolis strategy led by Creon is supposed to be Filia.
　Then it's not strange that they came for a face-to-face meeting.

　Besides, Creon's formal fiancée and former Knight Commander Sofia is also in my mansion.

　I don't know what Creon thinks of Sophia, and I think her importance has decreased with the dismantling of the Knights of St. Sophia, but he may have come to convince me to bring her back as a valuable asset.

　The four of us, me, Filia, Lucy, and Sophia, gathered in the parlor.
　On the other side were Creon and his entourage, the twin swordsman Karelia.

　Sitting on a couch in the parlor, we face each other across the table.

　Clarice comes over and says in front of Creon and the others, "Come in! And put the cup of tea down roughly.
　And it wasn't steamy, and it was clearly serving cold tea.

　Clarice glared at Creon and turned to leave.

　Clarice clearly saw Creon as an enemy.

　Well, he also said that Creon condones Arte's bad behavior, and it was Creon who was originally trying to bring Sophia back.
　Besides, according to Flora's story, he's going to kidnap Filia and sacrifice her for the resurrection of the Demon King.
　In the eyes of Clarice, who is Filia's sister-in-waiting, it's hard to forgive her.

　In addition, Creon was the main person who expelled me from the Order.
　Clarice had told me that she was a big fan of me being active in the Knights, and in that sense, she shouldn't have good feelings for Creon.

　However, Creon didn't seem to care about Clarice's cold attitude at all.
　He looks at us in a leisurely manner.

　He must know that he is an unwelcome guest, and he may have decided that it doesn't matter how he is treated by one of his maids.

　Rather, it was Karelia who blamed Clarice for her attitude.

''You there maid. Isn't that disrespectful to Creon-sama?''

Have I done something rude to you?

This is a man who is one of the greatest aristocrats in the Empire and is trying to save the country. He's a hero who was commissioned by the Emperor and the Prime Minister to form the Order of Salvation. I would like you to show him a little more respect.

The only hero for me is Master Solon.

　Clarice said simply, and then smiled at me, a little embarrassed.
　I couldn't help but feel my face flush.

　I'm not a hero.
　It is now Creon who is considered a hero in the eyes of the public.
　They said I wasn't good enough, so I was kicked out of the Order.
　I've been expelled from the Order because I wasn't good enough.

　But at least Clarice calls me a hero, not Creon.
　And that made me happy.

　Karelia looks more and more mortified and glares at me.

'This man, unlike Creon-sama, has no special powers. He's just an incompetent guy who acted like he was the second-in-command just because he's an old acquaintance of Creon-sama and the others.

'Please don't speak ill of Master Solon!

In the first place, you're just a maid. And now you are going to stand against me, a nobleman?

　With that, Karelia stood up quickly and took a thin brown whip from her clothes and swung it at Clarice.

　Some nobles used violence as a sanction against their servants, and among them, the whip was often used.
　Clarice froze as if frightened.

　The next moment, the whip was cut in both directions.
　Because I pulled out my treasure sword tetracord and slashed Karelia's whip.

'If you try to hurt my servant, I won't allow you to do so, even Karelia.

You're the one who...!

　It was Creon who won over Karelia, who was still trying to argue with him.
　Creon stands up and glares sharply at Karelia.

'Karelia. We didn't come here to have this silly argument.

　Creon's voice was quiet, but Karelia quickly made her face pale.

''I'm sorry.......Creon-sama!

In the meantime, please shut up about Karelia.

　Creon sighed, then turned to Clarice.

'I'm sorry Karelia tried to be so rude. This is just a small, heartfelt apology.

　When he said that, Creon tried to hand over some gold coins.
　That's quite a lot of money for a servant.
　However, Clarice refused it without hesitation.

"I am paid more than enough by Master Solon.

I see. You're very loyal.

　Creon didn't seem to be offended, and seemed to have lost interest in Clarice after that.
　Then Creon looked straight at me.

'It's been a long time, Solon, and Sophia. It's a long time since we met, no matter what happened, we missed seeing each other like this.

　Me and Sophia looked at each other and then nodded.
　It wasn't that long ago that I was expelled from the Order, but it seems like years ago now.

'And it's been a long time since Lucy-sensei has been here, too.

Yeah.

　Lucy replied curtly. Not only Clarice, but everyone here was cold towards Creon.

''I didn't come here to fight with Solon and the others. I'm here to meet with Her Highness, who is going to be the commander of the Necropolis campaign.

　Creon stood up and bowed politely to Filia.

''You must be Princess Filia, Your Highness. This is the first time I have met you. I'm Creon, the second son of Duke Teiresias and the head of the Order of Salvation Knights.''

'You were the one who expelled Solon, weren't you?

'It doesn't sound good to say I banished you. I was only doing Solon a favor and asking him to leave the Order.

　Creon smiled graciously and gracefully, while Filia, on the other hand, glared hard at Creon.