The Cathedral of the Saviour of the Imperial City is the headquarters of the Imperial Church.
　It is a white tower-like building that rises into the blue sky, with an ornate gold decoration at the top.

　In the imperial capital, it was a conspicuous building along with the Imperial Palace and the School of Magic, and as a cathedral, it was the tallest building on the continent.
　According to the information I obtained beforehand, my master, Lucy, is trapped on the top floor of this building.

　We crossed the bridge and stood in front of its entrance.
　It's early in the morning now, and the ceremony to make Lucy the retainer of the Demon King is about to take place.

　Me, Filia, Sophia, Letitia, Claire, Lucille, and the three members of the Freedom Alliance.
　Those were the members of this rescue mission.

''I'm uneasy.......Solon.

　Filia looked up at the cathedral building with concern.
　The plan was to use the names of the princess and the saint, and after entering the cathedral, they would raid to the ceremonial hall on the top floor.
　Then, by surprise, defeat Gapon, free Lucy and escape, but there has never been a plan in this world that has worked as planned.

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

''Just by having Filia-sama present, my ability will increase as my magic power is replenished. That alone is enough for Filia-sama to help me.

But....

'Don't worry, I'll take care of it. I'll make sure to protect Filia-sama, save Dr. Lucy, and defeat Gapon.

'Yeah...'

　Filia still had an unflattering look on her face.
　It's because the grimoire isn't ready to be used after all.
　If I could hear from Lucy, maybe what might be the obstacle, though.

''Hey, Solon-kun... is it okay for you to enter the building so normally?''

　Sophia looked back at me, her golden hair swaying softly.
　Sophia was Sophia and she looked uneasy.

　We're 'rebels' for now.
　Letitia and the others were dressed a little differently than usual, their faces hidden by their hoods.
　However, I understand that they are anxious to enter the cathedral openly and squarely.

''But it's more suspicious to be sneaking around.

'You're always so calm, Solon, aren't you? It's like there's nothing to be afraid of.

'I've always been scared of things. It's just that being scared doesn't change the situation.

　At my words, Sophia was puzzled.
　After a short pause, she looked at me with her jade-colored eyes and smiled.

'I see. That's right. ........I'm a saint, so I've been to this cathedral a few times.

You're right. I'm counting on you, Sophia.

　Sophia nodded happily.
　On the other hand, seeing us, Claire teasingly interjected, "I have nothing to fear.

I'm not afraid of anything. The reason being that Solon-san is with us. And you're not, Sophia-san?

Wow, I trust you too, Solon?

'I see. That's right.

　Hmph, Claire laughed.
　Sophia and Claire had been good friends when they were young.
　They went to the same school and couldn't fight in the same party, but now they were friends fighting together, so it was a strange feeling.

　While we were talking about this, we arrived at the big gate at the front of the cathedral, and Filia told the monk who guarded the gate, her name.

I am the Princess Filia. This is my attendant, Saint Sophia. You know her.
?

　On Filia's chest is a silver brooch of a two-headed eagle.
　It was a symbol of the imperial family, and even if you didn't know Filia, you could recognize her as the royal family at a glance.

　Furthermore, Sophia was one of the seven saints chosen by the church, and she was far superior to the friar.

　The friar looked flustered and let us through.
　So far, so good.

　All we need to do now is go help Lucy, who should be on the top floor of the cathedral.

　We walked into the cathedral.
　We are greeted by a hall with a majestic red carpet.
　Upstairs was a vaulted atrium, and the morning sun streaming in through the many glass windows illuminated the stained glass windows.

　It was a mystical atmosphere.
　We started up the spiral staircase.

　One thing was bothering me.
　I spoke to Leticia in a whisper.

'Why is Miss Letitia trying to help Dr. Lucy?'

I guess that's not good enough for me.

'Yes. Letitia-san doesn't seem to be the type to do that.

That's rude.

　Leticia said that, but her face was smiling.
　I guess that means what I said is not wrong.

　Although Lucy and Leticia are fellow members of the same Freedom Alliance, they are only comrades with a common goal, and they don't seem to have that deep of a friendship.
　And Letitia seemed to be a realist, for better or worse, who would cut down her friends for the sake of her goals.

'As you know, Lucy and I went to school together in wizarding school. It's just that we weren't really close. Lucy was a very cold, scary girl at the time. But now, thanks to my apprentice, she's changed a lot.

　Letitia chuckled.
　I changed Lucy.
　Is that so?

'Lucy seemed so confident, but there was a part of her that didn't believe in herself. She was lonely, you see. That led to a lack of reserve in her attitude towards others. But having you as an apprentice gave her the confidence that she was needed.

So you're saying that Dr. Lucy has changed?

Exactly. It's only by believing in yourself that you can change.

　Then Leticia looked at Filia meaningfully.
　In any case, Leticia had the option of not saving Lucy and defecting to a foreign country on their own.

　Not doing so meant that Leticia had a reason to save Lucy.

''........The Empire has obtained the power of the Demon King. So we need to get enough power to counter it.''

''Master Lucy is a genius sorcerer, but I don't think she's strong enough to fight against the Demon King's power on her own.

'It's not Lucy's own power, but the magical powers she develops that are needed. For example, the grimoire you and His Highness Filia have. It's ... not just a supportive magic grimoire.

　I looked at Leticia in surprise, and she stared back at me with her brown eyes, too.

　Just as I was about to ask her about it, there was a sudden, heavy crashing sound in the place.

　The gate was closed.
　It was also quite sudden and severe.

　Some kind of merchant-like man, coming and going, was pointing and ranting at us.
　The next thing we knew, a flurry of security friars were running towards us.
　That means one thing.

'I wonder if they've found out who we are.

　Letitia, next to me, nodded at my muttering.

'So the traitors are on their way, I see. ....Let's run!

　We ran up the stairs.
　We were at the top of the stairs.
　From the top of the stairs, white clad monks are coming towards us with swords at the ready.

　They are probably the members of the Cathedral Knights who guard the cathedral.
　But they are not our enemies.

　I drew my tetracord and flashed it.
　Easily, the knights fall down. Of course it's a peaked strike.

　There are just too many of them. Letitia, Sophia and the others also defeated quite a few enemies.
　But a monk stepped forward to attack my side.

　I had just brought my sword down, so it was a close call.
　But his sword never reached me.

''I will not allow you to hurt my master!

　Filia waved her apple tree wand and a flame spell was released.
　It then enveloped the white clothing of the enemy monk.

　It was not a strong flame, but the friar flinched in the heat and stopped his sword.
　In that moment, I regained my position and swung my sword at the friar, successfully defeating him.

''Filia-sama you have been saved.

How did I help you with Solon?

'Yes, sir. You've grown up.

　Filia's eyes sparkled and she smiled happily.
　Even if she couldn't use Lucy's grimoire, Filia was steadily increasing what she could do.

''Solon ... give us victory!

'Yes, sir. Be sure to fulfill your purpose and return to the mansion to study magic. By then, I'm sure you'll be able to use that grimoire.

Yeah!

　I swung my sword again and stepped to the next step of the stairs, defending Filia.