My treasure sword and Claire's crystal sword mingled and sparked violently.

　In Necropolis, Flora with her crystal sword had conquered the Order's executive twin swordsman, Karelia, in an instant.
　It's such a powerful weapon.

　However, unlike Flora, Claire was not a magician.
　There might be a chance of victory there.

　Claire quickly jumped back and said, "Power to me! I chanted as I mumbled.
　The crystal sword begins to glow.

　Not good.
　I'm going to use the magic power of the crystal sword to shoot a wave attack.

''Lucy-sensei, please protect Filia-sama!

Yeah, yeah!

　Lucy's uptight voice can be heard behind her.
　Maybe it's because the Free Alliance's plans have been exposed, but Lucy seems to be completely unhinged and she doesn't have her wand with her.

　If Lucy was in perfect condition, I think the odds of defeating Claire would have increased, but for now, I have to make do with my power.

　At the same time I step forward, a magical light is emitted from the crystal sword.
　Holding up the treasure sword tetracord, I take it all in.

　And then I re-hold the treasured sword.
　The other side, Claire, is not showing any signs of weakness.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
　But now Claire was an official officer in the army and a trained swordsman.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. But why would trying to arrest Miss Lucy help us?

　I asked Claire, even as I picked up my sword.
　Depending on the conversation, we might be able to get some clues on how to win.

'Of course, it's because Lucy-sensei is trying to take advantage of Solon-san and His Highness Filia.

'No!　I'm not trying to take advantage of you both...!

　At Lucy's words, Claire shrugged her shoulders in dismay.

''It's horrible to be unaware, isn't it? Don't you realize that you're putting them both in danger by involving your apprentice and your cousin for your own ideals?

'I'm always thinking of Solon and Filia.

　Lucy holds her hand in front of her again, forming a swirl of flames.

　The
If Lucy attacked as is, she would only be blocked by the power of the crystal sword.
　However, if I successfully repeat the attacks, Claire might be unable to avoid them as well.

''Lucy-sensei!''

　I called out to her, and Lucy said, "Okay, Solon! I nodded.
　'Whether we can make it succeed depends on how well me and Lucy can breathe together.
　Filia behind Lucy murmured a prayer, "Victory to me and Lucy, Solon," she said.

　I nodded back, held up my treasure sword and pushed forward.
　At the same time, spheres of flame shot out of Lucy's palm one after another.

　At exactly the same time, me and Lucy's attacks attacked Claire.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.
　The flames burned around the waist of her military uniform and Claire let out a high-pitched scream.

　Claire barely regained her position, but it was clear that she was quite worn out from the current attack.

''Isn't that terrible........ Even if I'm injured, Solon-san is fine with it?''

　Claire smiled weakly and looked at me forlornly.
　For me, it's heartbreaking to see Claire get hurt.

　But now I have to defeat her.
　You're not going to be able to get a good deal more than you'd like.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. So Professor Lucy is more important to you now?''

Well yes.

'But it doesn't matter anymore. Professor Lucy won't be able to be around Mr. Solon anymore. And you will know that I am the one who has Mr. Solon's best interest at heart!

　Claire swung her crystal sword and released a golden wave of energy again.
　However, the attack was not broken.

　This was partly because Claire was worn out, but it was clearly different from when Flora was originally using it.

　Claire must have had some time since she obtained this crystal sword, so she should know how to handle it better than Flora.
　However, although it's cruel, Claire, who doesn't have magic power to begin with and isn't a sorcerer, would not be able to use this sword.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.
　As it was, I flicked the crystal sword in Claire's hand.

　Perhaps due to the fact that she was weakened by the fire magic, Claire easily dropped the sword from her hand and fell to her knees in a discouraging manner on the spot.

''........After all, I have no power. If only I had the power, I could have entered a magic school, become an adventurer, and still be next to Solon-san now.

Claire is a great soldier now, isn't she?

But what I wanted to be was something else.

　Claire had no way to resist completely anymore.
　The crystal sword was lying on the floor.

　Filia fearfully but curiously picked it up and looked at it.
　We had won.

　However, defeating Claire would not change the danger to Lucy's health.
　We need to take immediate measures on how to escape from the government's hands.

　However, there's one thing we have to do first.

"I'll take care of your wound, Claire. I'm sorry you're in pain.

Thank you for that. In the past... when I fell in the garden, Mr. Solon helped me with my scrapes, didn't he?

That's right.

I used to be a crybaby and I would cry at the slightest hurt, but it's different now, Solon.

　Claire's eyes suddenly shone sharply.
　Intuitively, I knew something was wrong.

　I jumped back, but I was right.
　Countless beads of light shot out of Claire's palm.

　Behind me, Filia was fiddling with her crystal sword.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of this opportunity.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on, and you'll be able to find out what's going on.

　However, he had Lucy slightly away from Filia.
　Lucy held up her hand to create a defensive barrier, but without her wand, its effects were known and some of the attacks broke through the barrier.

　A bead of light attacked Lucy, and Lucy said, "Kyaaaaaah! He screamed and fell to the ground.

　Claire advanced and looked down at Lucy coldly.

''The power of the crystal sword gives its owner the ability to use magic. Even if the crystal sword leaves your hand, its effect lasts for a while.

　Lucy listened to Claire's words as she breathed painfully.
　Claire's attack must have been quite effective.

'Professor Lucy. You may not remember me, but I remember you. If you were the examiner who assigned me to the magic school entrance exam.

　Lucy looked up at Claire, weakly.

'Was it...?'

Yes. And then you said to me, 'This is not a place for magicians and lackeys and such bad people. 'This is not a place for magical lackeys and all those bad people.'

'I'm sorry.... I don't remember.

Not only that, but they said some pretty awful things about me. I'll never forget the humiliation of that time.

　It's true that Lucy had a rather arrogant personality when she met me.
　As a magical genius, she had a tendency to look down on inferior people, and that included me.

　But then Lucy changed.
　The Lucy of today would not say such cruel things to Claire.

　However, it was an unchangeable fact that the Lucy of the past had earned Claire's resentment.

　Claire held out her hand and tried to inflict more pain on Lucy.
　I jumped up, stepped between Claire and Lucy, and swung my treasured sword at her.

　I played off Claire's attack and as it was, I thrust my sword into Claire's neck.

'If you hurt Lucy-sensei any further, I will never forgive Claire.

I can't help it.

　Claire seemed to have given up easily.
　This time, the surprise attack won't work on me, and I shouldn't be able to move carelessly with the sword against my neck.

　However, Claire's expression was spare.

''Already Brother Creon and Father Gapon of the Third Department of the Government Office are aware of the plans of the Free Alliance. And they plan to arrest them as traitors, including Solon-san.

　I guess that means things have already gotten to the point where they are irreversible.
　And then Claire says quietly, "But I won't let it happen.

But I won't let them do that. ........at least, I won't let you execute Solon-san as a traitor.

'I'm happy for Claire's feelings, but how is that possible?'

'Yes. That's why I came to the mansion this evening to help Mr. Solon. Along with my army friends.

　With a gasp, I looked back at the entrance to the dining hall and saw several soldiers there.
　And when I looked out the window, I saw that dozens of soldiers had already surrounded the mansion.