'Helping Arte?　Me?

Yes, sir.

　Flora gave a small nod.
　''Speaking of Arte, he was the one who drove me out of the Order and attacked my mansion.

　And even now, he's still trying to take custody of Filia.
　At the very least, I don't think there's any reason for me to actively help her.

　Flora smiled weakly.

''Even though she's like that, she's still a very important sister to me.

'To me, it's not. It seems that Arte didn't think of me as a friend either, and to me, Arte is no longer a friend. In fact, I'd even go so far as to call him an enemy.

''But senior didn't try to kill big sister during the attack on the mansion. Moreover, you also protected your sister during the fight against the winged tiger.

It was just a matter of time.

　Flora stared at me.
　It was kind of uncomfortable.

　I couldn't read any emotion from Flora's big black eyes.

''Even if I were to help Arte, how would I help him from what? Earlier, I happened to be near Arte and there was no other vanguard, so I could help. But there must be other adventurers who are more battle-hardened. For example, Creon.

'It can't be senior Creon,'

　Flora lowered her voice.
　A small voice, almost audible or inaudible.

　It was as if Flora was wary of Creon.

'I'm sure senior Solon will be able to help us.

I don't know.

'I know that there's no reason for your senior to help your sister. So let's make a deal. I will succeed in this attack strategy and protect Senior Brother Solon and His Highness Filia. In return, if your big sister needs help, please protect her.

'Arte would rather die than ask me to help him.

No, that's not true, I'm sure. And salvation is not only found in battle.

It's kind of like Flora is a prophetess.

Well I'm an astrologer.

Anyway, I don't know what kind of situation Flora has in mind for us.

We'll know all about it when we're done with this Necropolis mission.

Can't you just tell me now?

　Flora didn't say anything, but chuckled.
　I guess that means I don't intend to tell you.

　It seems that Flora has an agenda and is acting independently apart from Creon and Arte.
　But I had no idea what Flora was thinking about.

''The thoughts that are really important to me are the ones that aren't put into words.

'I think Flora should just say what she's thinking more, and be more open about it. Flora is a much better magician than I am.

　The Flora in my memory was the girl who was always freaked out by her sister and the faces of those around her.
　Perhaps she lacked confidence.

　But Flora is one of the most skilled magicians in the world, and if she's smart, she's also very good-looking.
　And even though she has a timid personality, it can be said that she has a gentle nature that is aware of what's going on around her.

　So, I thought, why not act more normally and honestly?

　At my words, Flora gave me a distant look.

''That's right........ If I make it out of this attack mission alive, it might not be a bad idea to do so. And, but I don't know if I can act like that.........

''It's a lot easier than dealing with advanced astrological magic.

'It's hard for me. But.....

But?

'I feel like I can be a little more honest in front of my seniors,'

　Flora nodded her head, then loosened her cheeks in delight.
　If you ask me, she might have been like that since her time in the Order.

　Flora was always frightened when she was talking to her sister or the other members of the Order.
　But I think she was often relatively natural only when she was talking to me.

　As we talked, we proceeded to rescue the unconscious adventurers, and we had roughly finished treating all of them, including the adventurers that Creon, Lisa and the others had saved.

　We can't save the adventurers who have already lost their lives, though.
　We held our hands over the bodies and prayed in silence.
　It was the Imperial Church style of mourning.

　I looked at Flora, Creon, Lisa, Karelia, and the other adventurers in turn.

　Filia, Arte and the other adventurers should not be far behind.
　Then, the ruins finally entered the deepest part of the site.