I thought about it.

　It would be difficult to eliminate the soldiers besieging the mansion by the use of force.
　Even in terms of simple military strength, there may be many sorcerers of reasonable ability mixed in with their opponents.
　Even if Sophia and the others joined them as allies, there was a possibility that they would not be able to win due to the difference in numbers.

　More importantly, if I fight against the army here, they would treat me as a complete rebel.
　The implications are different from dealing with Claire alone.

''Well, Solon-san. Please put that sword away.

　Claire smiled at me.
　I reluctantly let go of the sword against Claire's neck and sheathed it.

　Claire approached one of the soldiers and announced in a quiet voice.

'The only person I'm going to restrain is Professor Lucy.

This Solon man is not one of Professor Lucy's associates, is he?

　The soldier asked Claire that question back.
　Claire shook her head, her grey hair swaying softly.

He said, "Mr. Solon is not part of the Free Alliance's plans, and I have confirmed that, and our superiors have acknowledged it. I have already confirmed that, and our superiors have acknowledged it.

　The soldiers nodded and made their way to Lucy.
　Claire is going to hold Lucy responsible for her treason.

　That way, surely Filia and I can avoid being arrested.
　The Liberty Alliance's plans have already been exposed to the government, so I can't stop them from arresting us.

　But we can reduce the number of people we bring forward on those charges.
　Claire's certainly trying to help me.

　But we can't let this go, and Lucy's going to get caught.
　It's not just a matter of fighting an army, either.

　I couldn't make a decision quickly enough.

　Lucy was stunned in her pajamas, but soon the soldiers were about to tie her arms around them.
　Lucy said, "Let go of me! I was upset when I saw him shout.

　It was Filia who moved first.

'Ensign Claire, will you listen to me?'

Yes, Your Highness?

　The two girls were facing each other straight on.
　Filia was dressed in a dress and had her arms crossed as if in prayer.
　Claire, on the other hand, was in her military uniform and was still smiling.

You're not a traitor. As an imperial princess, I can vouch for her.

'I want to respect His Highness's willingness to defend Professor Lucy, but we have a lot of evidence to back it up.

But....

"Professor Lucy's plan was a conspiracy to appoint Prince Filia to the throne, with much trepidation. In other words, if the plan had gone ahead, His Highness himself would have been suspected of treason.

'I don't want to be an emperor, you know?　That's why you have to let me take care of Lucy. I'm going to prove to you that she's innocent.

We can't just obey His Highness' orders, even if His Highness gives us the go-ahead. Besides, if I miss Professor Lucy here, I'm sure Brother Creon and the people from the Third Division of the Emperor's Secretariat will come for her sooner or later.

　If that happens, both me and Filia could be arrested for the same crime as Lucy.
　Things could get worse.
　That's what Claire is hinting at.

　Filia bit her lips in frustration.

　Filia was brave enough to try to help Lucy.
　But even with the imperial princess' orders, it seemed difficult to avoid Lucy's arrest.

　I stepped forward instead.

''What happens next for Miss Lucy?''

He should be arrested, tried and executed.

　Filia gasps.

　But I noticed the implications in the way Claire said it.
　Essentially, that meant that there was another possibility.

'If Professor Lucy, as the first traitor to be arrested, is willing to reveal more details about her other companions and plans, I think we can reduce the sentence for that.

You're not going to get the death penalty?

Yes. I don't mind the death penalty, but then Mr. Solon would be sad, wouldn't he?　So we'll make sure that doesn't happen.

　Even if they avoided the execution, Lucy would still be in jail.
　In the meantime, it could be said that as long as she's alive, she can find a way to help.

　But even if Claire keeps her promise, there's no telling when Lucy will be executed if things change.
　Besides, Claire seemed to have bad feelings for Lucy, and she was anxious to give Lucy to that Claire.

　Even if she was suspected of being a traitor, she might have to fight and take Lucy and run away with her.
　Filia is an imperial princess, and she shouldn't have to worry about the army harming her.

　I made up my mind and almost drew my sword.

　But Lucy was the one who gave me the answer first.

''Good. I'll do as Ensign Claire says.

Okay.

　Claire smiled at me.
　I looked back at Lucy.

　If this was the case, Lucy would be arrested, the plan would fail, and Lucy would have to spend the rest of her life in a prison cell in fear.

'So ... are you sure about that?'

　I asked Lucy.
　Lucy gave a small nod and smiled.

'Because if you don't, Solon and Filia are in danger. And originally, it was my fault.

But...

It's okay. I'm not going to die. Do you think I'm the kind of person who kills and dies?

　Lucy giggled, but her hands were shaking.
　I asked Claire to release Lucy from her restraints once.

　Claire seemed wary, but when I insisted, she reluctantly ordered the soldiers away from Lucy, as if to say she was reluctant to do so.
　I guess she didn't want the negotiations to break down and lead to another battle.

　I walked up to Lucy and gently squeezed her hand.
　Lucy blushes a little and looks up at me with her crimson eyes.

　I smiled at Lucy to reassure her, and then I let her hold one of the stones.

''Is this...?''

It's like a good luck charm.

　It was a magical stone that emitted a colorful light.
　I picked it up at the ruins when I went to Corinthian Garden with Lucy and the others to look for medicinal herbs.

''Beautiful........''

　Lucy murmured.
　Although the magic stone had no special use except for one point, its brilliance was quite beautiful.

　Lucy squeezed the magic stone tightly.

''Thank you. I will take good care of it.

　I only moved my mouth and told him, without saying a word, that I would be there to help him.
　I couldn't let the soldiers around me hear me, because I couldn't let them hear me.

　Lucy nodded and gave me a soft smile.

'Can I ask you to take care of Filia, and my apprentice?'

Of course.

　Lucy must have had an apprentice who was still in school for magic.
　I've never met her, but that means I'm her brother's son, at least.

　Claire numbly said to us, "That's enough.
　Me and Lucy looked at each other and nodded to each other.

　This wasn't going to be the last time we said goodbye.