If you're a customer, why don't you just let them through to the guest room?

　From the middle of the stairs to the second floor, Lucy looked down at me.
　Meanwhile, Claire, standing in the doorway, was staring back at Lucy.

'Don't mind me, Professor Lucy,'

　Claire said in a chilled voice.
　I don't know the details, but Claire seems to have something against Lucy.

　Lucy looked confused.
　Maybe she didn't understand why Claire was looking at her with such hatred.

''You know me. Who are you?

I'm Second Lieutenant Clare in the Imperial Guard. I'm sure that Professor Lucy won't remember me.

　Claire quickly turned herself around and opened the front door.
　Then she turned and stared at me with her grey eyes.

'Mr. Solon. I am not your enemy, I am your friend. So please remember my advice.

　Then Claire disappeared out of the mansion.
　The remaining me and Clarice looked at each other.

　Claire's advice would be to not trust Lucy.

　But even so, I still trust Lucy.

　Claire used to be close to me, and she was like a sister to me.
　But if I had to trust either Lucy or Claire, I would trust my mentor, Lucy.

　However, there are some things that are bothering me.
　The word "free alliance" that Lucy drunkenly uttered.

　What was that about?

　When I explained that Claire was Creon's sister, her crimson eyes opened wide and she murmured, "Heh.

So she's that Creon's sister........

　Apparently, Creon was an impressive student for Lucy as well.
　However, according to Lucy, what was more impressive than Creon's outstanding talent was the fact that he was my friend, his apprentice.

'I don't remember any of this girl Claire, but........ Have we met somewhere?

　Lucy was twitching her head.
　As far as I knew, it didn't look like Claire and Lucy would ever have a chance to get to know each other.

　Unfortunately, Claire couldn't get into the magic school.
　Lucy shrugged.

　It was no use thinking about it, she thought.

'Solon do you have a minute?　There's a place I want to go tomorrow. It's not too far from this mansion.

'Well, I'm worried about Lady Filia, but...'

It's important, and I need Solon to be there.

　That being said, it's hard for me to say no.

　Filia is getting better, and she'll be much better tomorrow.
　Sophia and Clarice should be taking care of her.

　I don't think there's anything wrong with taking them out of the mansion more or less.

　But when I nodded to Lucy, Clarice, who was beside me, tugged on my sleeve.
　Then she stares at me.

'Well, Clarice?　What's going on?

It's not that I don't want to. It's just that the other day I heard that Master Solon was in the same room with Dr. Lucy late at night, and I thought they were very close to each other, going out together again.

'Dr. Lucy is my mentor, you know.

　I said, but Lucy's cheeks flushed a little.

　Clarice looked at Lucy and muttered, 'I doubt it.

''Well, the only reason I'm going out with Solon is to have a serious talk with him!

　Lucy said quickly and withdrew to her room in a hurry.
　She didn't want to pursue Clarice any further.

　As I shrugged my shoulders, Clarice's eyes twinkled mischievously.

''Next time, you should come with me to the imperial capital!

Why?

"I want to go to the Imperial City with Master Solon. That's all. Can't I?

Of course it's not a bad idea.

'Really?　I'm so happy for you!　There's a famous pastry studio in the Imperial City that's putting out a new one, so come live with us!

　Hearing Clarice say that she seemed to be enjoying herself made me feel kind of happy too.

''For now, let's make some pancakes for Filia-sama.

Yes!

★

　Lucy and I went out of the mansion the next evening.
　Filia seemed to be feeling much better, so I could go out in peace.

　The setting sun was shining red directly in front of us.

So what kind of business do you have in mind?　It's not like we're going out for a drink together, is it?

It's tempting, too.

　Lucy mumbled and then huffed.
　I'm letting my true feelings slip.

　Claire said she thought Lucy was cheating on me, but I don't think she's the type of person who could do such an insidious thing. But I don't think Lucy is the type of person who could pull off such an insidious act.

　But she might be hiding something.

　We chatted and walked down the street.
　According to Lucy, the place is within walking distance.

　Eventually we came to a tavern on the outskirts of the Imperial City.
　It looked like a nondescript tavern, with a large blue sign on a wooden house.

　I couldn't help but chuckle.

''I guess you're here for a drink after all.

　But Lucy shook her head with a straight face.
　Then she said, "You'll understand when you get in," and led me into the tavern.

　What was spread out there was a very ordinary bar, but when the owner at the counter recognized Lucy, he came running up to her at a trot.

　Then he opened the door at the end of the tavern.
　There was a staircase leading to the basement.

'So you're going down here?'

Yeah.

　Lucy was unusually short of words.
　We walked down the dark stairs, lowering our candlesticks.

　And at the bottom of the stairs was a small room.
　Lucy grabbed the doorknob to open that door.

　When Lucy opened that door, there was a round table with people sitting in chairs all around it.

　I gasped.
　All of them were clearly of noble status, by the way they were dressed.

　An elderly man stood up from the crowd and, with a smiling face, shook Solon's hand.

'You are very welcome. You must be Solon, the famous wizard. I have heard that you are a man of fine character and excellent leadership skills for a young man.

'Thank you for your excessive words, thank you. But you are....

Oops, you forgot to give your name. My name is Witte. I'm the finance minister of this empire.

　I looked back at Lucy, surprised indeed, and forgot to reply.
　Lucy gave a small nod.

'Everyone here is my comrade. 'The Free Alliance is the name of our organization.'

Well, what exactly is this gathering about?　And it doesn't sound like it's going to be the new sake fair of the year.

　I looked around.
　Lucy's crimson eyes, as well as those of Witte and the other members of the Free Alliance, were all staring at me at once.

　Lucy said quietly.

''We have only one goal. To bring freedom to this country.''