Filia wants to talk to me alone.

'Perhaps it's a confession of love from Her Royal Highness.

　I chuckle at Letitia's teasing words.
　Maybe not.

　Just a place where we can be alone together, which doesn't seem to be too many.
　I take Filia with me to the attic of my hiding place.

　It's dusty, and also quite small.

''I'm sorry we ended up here,''

No, that's okay. I'm the one who pushed him into it. Solon really needs to be rested.

If Lady Phyllia asks for me, I'll never be tired or sore.

　I said jokingly, and Filia chuckled and said, "Thank you.
　But her blue eyes were tinged with melancholy.

　Ever since a moment ago, there was something strange about Filia.
　She didn't have her usual bouncy cheerfulness.

''Filia-sama.......you seem to be in low spirits, are you alright?

Do I look like that?

Yes, sir.

　I got worried.
　Could it be that I'm worried about deciding to rescue Lucy the day after tomorrow?
　In addition to Saint Sophia, we'll be using the name of Filia, the princess, to infiltrate the cathedral.

　When that happens, the possibility of Filia being in danger is not small.
　I said, but Filia shook her head and shook her head.

'That's not true. I'm just happy that I can be of service to Solon. I'm not depressed because I'm worried about going to church.

Well....

I am.........that's all I can do for Solon. I have no power.

Please don't say that.

　Ever since the recent failure of intermediate magic, Filia had been sneaky.
　Even on her recent infiltration into the Ministry of the Army and Navy, she said, "You can't take me there because I'm useless? He looked gloomy.

　How could I get Filia to regain her energy?

"Hey, Solon. Tell me the magic tomorrow.

''That's right. Shall I ask you to learn a hiding spell so that Filia-sama alone can escape if the need arises?

　I didn't think too much about it, but I suggested it to Filia.
　Unlike when we attacked the Necropolis, if we were in danger, it's quite possible that Filia would be asked to run away on her own.

　However, Filia looked sad.

I'm not going to leave Solon alone and run away. I'm not sure I would do that.

　I guess that was an inadvertent word.
　I didn't mean to say it in that way, though.

　I bent down and made eye contact with Filia.

'I'm glad that Filia-sama cares about me. I know that Filia-sama won't abandon me.''

Then....

That's why I want Filia-sama alone to be safe if things do get out of hand for me, Sophia, Leticia-san and the others.

I don't want to do that. Even if I'm the only one who survives, it's useless without Solon!

But...

What I want to know is what kind of magic can help Solon. I'm sure I can use Lucy's grimoire as well, can't I?　Letitia, and everyone else, expects me to use that magic.

'I don't know what Miss Letitia said to you, but you mustn't worry about it.

I'm going to...

　I understood the reason for Filia's melancholy.
　I care about Filia, and I can't stand the thought of her being in danger.
　That's why I put Filia's safety first.

　But I guess that's not good enough for Filia.
　I think it makes her feel as if she is constantly being protected and as if she is not needed.
　Moreover, there is a great magic in front of her that only she can and should be able to do.
　If you can use it, you can help everyone around you, but you're not good enough to use it.
　It's natural to feel conflicted and suffer if you're put in such a situation.

　I popped my hand on Filia's head and crumpled her silver hair.
　Filia's face flushed with a startled expression.

　Then she stared at me.

''I can't be fooled by that!

'Yes. I may have been too indifferent to Lady Filia's feelings.

What?

Can Lady Phyllia believe in herself?

Do you believe me?

''That's right. Can you seriously believe that if you train with me from now on, you'll be able to use Dr. Lucy's grimoire?

　I looked at Filia seriously and asked her a question.

　Filia seemed hesitant to answer.
　I myself told Filia the other day that it was difficult for her to learn Lucy's magic right away.
　So it's no surprise that Filia couldn't answer immediately that she could.

　However, Filia said she wanted to use Lucy's great magic to help me in the rescue mission in two days' time.
　If she's serious, she must learn it by the end of tomorrow.

　I huffed and loosened my cheeks.

''I think I can do it, Filia-sama.

Really?

''It's true. Even if I was an ordinary person, if I believed in myself and worked hard, I could become the vice-captain of the strongest knight's order in the Empire. Then Filia-sama should be able to reach greater heights. Lady Filia isn't like me, she's a genius.

'I don't think Solon is anything ordinary, but yes, he is. I am Solon's disciple. I'm sure you can do it.

　I nodded vigorously.

'So, let's get on with the training, shall we?

　Filia's eyes widened.

'Yes, now!　And, but Solon you're tired....

'I told you. If it were for Filia-sama, I'd be relieved of my pain and fatigue.

I can't imagine Solon being so hard on you at all.

'Let me show you how tough I can be. Now let's practice our magic all night long.

　I said with a laugh, and Filia's face lit up with a flash of light.
　Then, suddenly, Filia hugged me.
　As the short Filia hugs me, her little face comes to rest just around my stomach.

'Thank you, Solon. I love you!

I think it's too soon to say thank you.

　Even though it was always the case, I still couldn't get used to being hugged by Filia like this.

　On the other hand, I was breathing a sigh of relief in my heart.

　That was good.
　It looks like we're back to the usual Filia.

　Will I be able to use Lucy's magic in a short period of time?
　That's up to Filia, but of course I had a plan to succeed.