The Necropolis attack mission was brought forward to three days later.
　I was stunned.

　The war against the Great Republic War with the neighboring countries continues to worsen, and the resources obtained from the ruins must be used as military supplies as soon as possible.

　That was Creon's explanation, but they must be in a hurry to utilize the resources for military purposes through the revival of the Demon King.
　If they did so, the war situation could change dramatically.

　At any rate, if the operation is decided so quickly, the strategy cannot be stopped.
　After Creon's resignation, we discussed what we should do.

　The Necropolis has an enemy that even the brave Pericles could not defeat.
　I think the attack is reckless, but I haven't found any definitive proof that it's impossible.

　If the operation is not stopped, Filia will be in danger.
　Even if the operation was carried out, I planned to take measures to prevent Filia from being used as material for the resurrection of the Demon King.

　This was because they should have had nearly a month to attack.
　But that became impossible.

''Can't we just run away somewhere?''　

　Sophia suggests timidly.

'Somewhere where?'

'Why don't you go to a neutral Carolinian kingdom or some other foreign country?　Maybe we can defect to the Republic.

I don't think we can cross the border.

　In this time of war, if you leave the country without permission, you are a felon on your own.　
　It would be nice if we could get out of here successfully, but if we were caught, I and Filia and the others would not get away with it.

Then why don't you ask the dukedom of Solon's hometown to shelter him?

'I've thought about that, but I don't want to involve the dukes. Besides, the mansion is under surveillance.

Surveillance?

　Sophia made a pouting face.
　On the other hand, Lucy seemed to have sensed that there were already magical wards for monitoring and several magicians deployed around the mansion.

　They could detect it from the changes in the amount of magic power in the vicinity, but they wouldn't be able to notice it if they didn't have the idea that they could be monitored in the first place.
　Sophia also seemed to understand the presence of the watchers only after being told.

　The interior of the mansion is warded, so they can't see us, but if we take even one step outside, they will detect us.

''If we try to escape, Creon and the others will come to restrain us as soon as possible.

　Defeating the watchers would be possible with Sophia and Lucy.
　Perhaps they could even repel the first group of pursuers.

　But they will certainly be caught before they reach their escape route.
　Because the enemy is the government.

'But if we don't, Solon and the others will get hurt badly in the Necropolis.

　Sophia says with a face that looks like she's about to cry.
　The main body of the Necropolis attack is the Creon Rescue Knights.

　Even if Creon tries to harm Filia after the successful invasion, the people of the Knights are Creon's men, so there is a good chance that they will follow suit.
　There might be some conscientious adventurers like Flora, but they would surely be in the minority.

　But.
　The attack on Necropolis will involve more than just members of the Order of Salvation.
　Just like I'm allowed to participate.

Let's find some adventurers who will be on our side.

What?

'We could do a little better if we had Filia on our side,'

　Since Filia is an imperial princess, if Creon tried to do something to Filia, it would be a crime of treason.
　If it's just members of Creon's Order, for example, after sacrificing Filia, they might be able to kill me to make up for it.

　But if there are a certain number of people on our side, it's a different story.
　The sides that are on Filia's side should fight for Filia.

　If the battle is prolonged, the Knights will also have some doubts about being the princess' enemy.

　When I explained that, Lucy nodded.

''I think that's a good idea. The question is where that ally is...''

One of us has to be Notaras.

　The summoner Notaras is a leader of the old Order of St. Sophia.
　His abilities are extremely high.
　And since he is also an enemy of Creon and Arte, there is no one more trustworthy than him.

　I immediately went to Notaras's room and explained the situation.
　Although he knew it was a reckless plan, he gladly accepted it.

He said, "I can't let you go to the dead zone alone, Solon. The reason I couldn't stop the attack on Necropolis is also the responsibility of me, who was an executive of the Order.

　Notaras' eyes sparkled behind his round glasses.
　I thanked him repeatedly and then went to the next room.

　There is another old knight executive in this mansion.
　It's Lailen Remilia the Mechanical Engineer.

　I knew I couldn't go into a girl's room, but when I knocked and called out to her, Lailen Remilia replied that she didn't want to leave her room.
　She asked me to go into her room instead.
　I have no choice but to go into my room.

　Even though it was daytime, the windows were closed and the room was dimly lit.
　Lailen Remilia is huddled on the bed, wrapped in a blanket.
　From the blanket, only a neat face and a faint glimpse of purple hair could be seen.

　There was a fright in Lailen Remilia's purple eyes.

　During her time as a knight, Lailen Remilia was a clever beautiful girl with a strong sense of justice, but at the same time, she had a free-spirited nature.

　Even though she was the daughter of a nobleman, she wore an exotic dancer-style costume that was quite revealing, and I think she attracted the attention of the male members around her.
　Lailen Remilia often bragged about her expensive clothes to those around her.

　The atmosphere of the current Lailen Remilia is totally different.
　It's because of the horrible assault she received from Arte and the others.
　I don't know the details of what that was like.

　The only thing I know for sure is that Lailen Remilia was driven to the point of near death.

　There were fractures in multiple parts of her body.
　Fortunately, the scar in the center of her face is gone and hasn't ruined her beauty, but I can still see a large scar on her forehead that is hidden by her purple hair.

　It seems that magic can't be used to restore it either.　

　And because of the memories of fear instilled in her by Arte and the others, Lairen Remilia was sick at heart.
　She was frightened at the slightest noise and spent the whole day in her room with empty eyes.

　Clarice was also quite worried.
　Once again, she felt resentful towards Arte.

　She remembered Flora's words that she should have killed Arte, that she should have killed him.
　Indeed, it was probably true.

　Arte was released by Creon and is still a free man.
　I don't know what kind of barbarism he is committing.

　Aside from that, we can't take Lairen Remilia, who is as good as a cripple, with us to capture Necropolis.
　Therefore, what I wanted to ask Lailen Remilia was if there were any other influential adventurer's handlers.

　Lailen Remilia listened to my explanation with a vague expression on her face, but when I said that I wanted to stop Arte's plan, she freaked out and shook.

　Maybe it wasn't a good idea to mention Arte's name.
　Rylen Remilia's expression hardened with fear, and then she began to sob.

　I panicked.
　It was the first time I had ever seen Lailen Remilia cry.

''I'm...such an idiot.

Why?

I had no idea what would happen if I got rid of Solon.

　It was only after Arte took power in the Order after he banished me.
　And when the management of the Knights didn't work well, Arte said he was going to attack the Necropolis.

　And they failed to overthrow Arte by opposing the Necropolis attack, and they had a terrible time.
　So it could be said that agreeing with my banishment led to the tragedy of Rylen Remilia.

　I said, "No,

"I didn't blame Rylen Remilia. It's all on Arte.

　I said, and waited for a while until Lailen Remilia calmed down.
　When she finally stopped crying, Lailen Remilia said in a faint voice.

''Thanks. .........Solon is very kind. I tried to get rid of Solon.

'But you've agreed to let me come back, haven't you?

But that doesn't change the fact that I agreed to kick Solon out in the first place. So I'm sorry.

So, if I could do one thing for you, I'd like your help. So we're square.

　When I asked him if he had any adventurers he could call upon to be his allies, Lairen Remilia thought for a moment and said that he had a group of adventurers in his own viscount's possession.

　He said that if Lailenremilia wrote to her father's viscount, he could send them right away.

''That would be very helpful, Lailen Remilia.

Well I can't go back to my parent's house looking like this, so can I stay in this mansion for a while longer?

'Of course. You can stay as long as you want, but for now, just think about getting better.

　When I said that, Rylen Remilia nodded her head and smiled, albeit faintly.

　Now we need to enlist the help of our acquaintances from the days of the magic school and the knights.
　Then there are the most dependable adventurers.

　It's Rascalos, the head of the Imperial City branch of the old Knights of Sophia, and his friends.
　They were all ardent admirers of Saint Sophia, and that's why they hadn't joined the new Knights of Creon.

　It's easy to gather the members of the old Order like them with Sophia's persuasion.
　Somehow I seemed to be able to gather a fair number of adventurers.

　And at the same time, I'll also teach Filia the cautions for exploring the ruins in three days, as well as the minimum amount of recovery and support magic.

　Finally, we were ready for the Necropolis invasion mission.