Both me and Filia looked back at the entrance, surprised.
　I wondered if someone had woken up this late at night.

　But the person standing there was someone completely different from what we expected.
　It wasn't even a resident of the mansion in the first place.
.
　A girl in military uniform, Claire, was leaning against the door, arms crossed.
　Claire stared straight at us with her gray eyes.

　Filia hid behind me, as if frightened, and tugged on my sleeve.
　Claire, on the other hand, smiled with a spare look on her face.

''It's the first time I've met you, Princess Filia, Your Highness.

Who are you?

I'm Second Lieutenant Claire in the Imperial Guard. Perhaps "sister of the Holy Knight Creon" would be a better description.

　Claire chuckled, then moved to the center of the dining room and stood in front of us.
　I put my hand on the scabbard of my treasure sword.
　It was a good thing I carried the treasure sword with me, despite my adventuring days, because I was glad to keep it under my skin.

　It's strange to think that Claire would sneak into the mansion without a word this late at night.

''How did Claire get into this mansion?''

If it's about the wards, I've broken them. The reason I came to the mansion yesterday was partly to see Mr. Solon, but the other reason was to understand the structure of the warding from the inside.

'Even if we knew the structure of the wards, Claire shouldn't be able to break the wards created by magic. Because.........

Yes. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. But now I am not 'normal'.

　Claire drew the great sword from her waist and released it.
　I almost yelled out, "Ah!

　That great sword was made of crystal.
　It was the treasured sword belonging to Saint Saul in the dead city of Necropolis.

　The crystal sword had been used by Flora after Saul had been defeated. It must have been recovered by Creon's Salvation Knights afterwards.
　Claire looked at the sword lovingly.

''As long as I have this, even I can use magic. And I can help Her Royal Highness and Solon-san.''

Will Claire help us?

Yes, I'm on their side. ─ Yes, I am on the side of Mr. Solon and his friends. I am relieved to hear that His Highness Filia and Mr. Solon have no intention of going after the imperial throne. Now we can capture the traitor Lucy without a care in the world.

　Is that what Claire has come for?
　Perhaps Claire knew about the plans of the Free Alliance in some way before.

　That's why she warned me that Lucy was trying to use me, or something like that.
　Either way, the situation is critical.

　Claire is in the military, and that Claire says she's going to arrest Lucy for treason.
　And now Lucy is a complete enemy of the government.

"Claire's goal is to get custody of Dr. Lucy, I guess. Then I can't just say 'yes, I see' and hand over Lucy-sensei to her.

If you're on that Lucy's side, you can't just take her side, can you, Mr. Solon?

'But then again, Miss Lucy is my only teacher.

　I can't just do what Claire says.
　Because I can't just abandon Lucy.

　I looked back at Filia.

'What will you do, Filia-sama?'

　Filia chuckled.

I wouldn't give up on Lucy, either, because she has always been on my side. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that she's always been on my side. And she has made Solon her mentor.

　I smiled and nodded.
　In order to protect Lucy, I had to do something about Claire in front of me.

　Just then, Lucy peeked out at the entrance to the dining room.
　Lucy is dressed in a white dress and pajamas, and of course she doesn't have a wand.
　She was completely unprotected.

''Is anyone awake at this hour?''

　Lucy said curiously, and then nodded her head when she saw us.
　As far as the tea and jam on the table, the place was peaceful itself.

　The only thing that was different was Claire's presence.
　Claire smiled at him.

'Professor Lucy, by order of Military Intelligence, I am here to arrest you.

"Arrest me?　What on earth is your suspicion?

　Lucy blurted out, but her expression was firm.

'Participation in the Free Alliance of Anti-Government Associations. and the conspiracy to abolish His Majesty the Emperor. Don't tell me you don't remember me.''

　The moment Lucy heard that, without saying a word, she held up her hand and unleashed her flame magic at Claire.
　A violent whirlpool of flames blazed forth and soon it became a large ring of fire.　
　A sorcerer of Lucy's caliber can use magic of considerable power without the help of his staff.

　If it was an ordinary human being, he or she would not have been able to respond to Lucy's attack and would have been defeated in an instant.

　However, when Claire swung her crystal sword in a hefty swing, Lucy's fire magic was easily drowned out.

''Why...!

　Lucy exclaimed in surprise and her crimson eyes widened.

''This crystal sword has a holy power. A power that surpasses even Professor Lucy's, I have obtained it!

　Claire said, and flashed her crystal sword.
　Then a wave of golden light was created and it flew towards Lucy.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.
　But the golden light was slightly unstoppable by the treasured sword and touched my skin.

　I frowned as I felt a burning pain and frowned.

''So, Solon!''

It's not a big deal.

　I answered Lucy and then took a step forward, swinging my big treasure sword tetracord.
　Then I closed the gap between me and Claire.

　The crystal sword was a substandard weapon, which Saul and Flora had already proven to be a substandard weapon.
　Then they needed to win the game early before it got out of hand.

I'm glad to hear that. I, who have no magic power, can't believe the day will come when I can fight Solon-san with magic power.

I didn't want to fight Claire.

　My treasure sword, Tetracord, caught Claire's crystal sword.
　But unlike a pure sorcerer like Flora, Claire is a soldier and is used to handling swords.

　Claire deftly deals with my sword shot and flips it back.
　As I delivered another slash, Claire held up her crystal sword and stared sharply at me with her gray eyes.