Filia successfully used the grimoire.
　Filia, whose hair and eyes had changed to crimson, pointed her magic staff straight at Gapon.

　Gapon was a priest, not a sorcerer.
　So he wouldn't be able to understand the exact power of the grimoire Filia used.
　But Gapon could understand that something unusual had happened, too.

'A futile struggle...'

　Gapon spat at the abomination, pointed his bronze staff at us again, and then fired a shot of light.
　I readied my treasure sword and tried to block it.

　But I didn't have to.
　With a single swing of her staff, a fire with enough force to burn everything around it spread out and swallowed the light bullets.

''This........is the power of the grimoire......the other demon king.......''

　Filia murmured.

'The Flame of the King (Shae Shola). 'Yes, that's what it was called in the ancient Alemanian literature. The fire magic of the demon king Sharva, right?

　Lucy says.

　Shalva, one of the Seven Demon Kings.
　It was a being sealed in ancient Alemania. Lucy created a grimoire by recreating the magic formula used by that demon king.

　That's why that magic requires a large amount of magical power, but Filia, who is a descendant of the Demon King, is able to use it with that huge amount of magical power.

''But with the use of the grimoire just now, didn't you use a significant portion of the amount of magic power?''

No, I feel fine. It's like I feel a surge of energy flowing through me.

　It was the same for me.
　Me and Filia share a magic circuit.

　The grimoire did not directly strengthen me.
　Nevertheless, I'm also getting the benefit of Filia's increased power.

　If that's the case.

''Could Filia-sama please reap Gapon's light bullets and divine images with fire? And then fire the most powerful fire magic possible against Gapon.

You're going to break the magical barrier?

Yes. But please keep your magic to a reasonable level.

　Filia's amount of magic power is not infinite either.
　However, Filia smiled.

''It's okay.''

　I nodded and told him that I would attack Gapon directly after he destroyed the magical barrier.
　With Filia now, she must be able to defeat the power of Gapon's demon king.

　I left Claire in charge of Lucy and moved forward.

　Gapon summoned about twenty new god statues, but they were instantly dissolved by the flames that Filia released.
　With a click of his tongue, Gapon waved his staff again, but nothing appeared.

　As you can imagine, he's out of magic. I'm sure the reason Gapon advised us to surrender was because it was difficult to keep fighting.

　I approached Gapon.
　I brandish my treasure sword tetracord.

　The first strike doesn't break the magical barrier.
　But--

Shae Shola!

　With Filia's cry, a swell of flames went over my head and hit Gapon.
　As expected of a demon king, or should I say the power of a demon king, Gapon's magic barrier was not immediately destroyed even though he was surrounded by a tremendous amount of flame.

　However, even compared to the advanced flame magic used by Lucy, Filia's 'King's Flame (Shae Shola)' was overwhelmingly powerful.

　Eventually, Gapon's magic barrier collapsed.
　Nevertheless, Gapon did not give up and tried to swing his bronze staff.

　But it was too late.
　Me as a magic swordsman and Gapon as a priest have far different abilities in melee combat.

　My sword caught Gapon and stabbed him deep in the abdomen.

　Gapon collapses to the spot.

　Silence took over the place.
　Victory, it seems, has been won.

　But Gapon wasn't dead yet.
　Be on your guard.

　I looked down at Gapon.
　The badly wounded Gapon groaned and looked up at me.

'Kill me. Magic Swordsman Solon.

Yeah.

　I replied, but I hesitated.

　Gapon had once risked his life for his people and resisted the Empire.
　He was a good clergyman.

　But Gapon has given up on changing the Empire and has begun to bleed rebels as part of the Imperial government.
　Just as he had killed everyone, even their innocent families, let alone the July Party leaders. That was just the tip of the iceberg, and Gapon had slaughtered many humans.

'So I deserve to die too. As long as I'm defeated. I suppose this is God's will for me, too.

Okay.

"As a spirit, we shall see if you and your highness can change the empire.

　I was still lost, but the next moment, Gapon fell down coughing up blood and then stopped moving forever.
　A thin sword slashed Gapon's throat.

'This was our fight to begin with,'

　Letitia was standing next to me.
　It was Leticia who had put a stop to Gapon.

　Leticia was seriously injured, but seemed to be able to move.
　And Letitia thanked me politely.

　When I looked around, Lucille had gotten up and was breathing a sigh of relief.
　Sophia also seemed to have recovered from the damage of the blow. Smiling, she is casting her signature healing magic on Claire.
　That Claire had also regained consciousness.

　Everyone seemed to be safe.

　I walked over to Filia and Lucy.
　Filia had already returned to her original silver-haired, blue-eyed appearance.

'Solon you won.

Yes. I'm sure you owe this victory to Miss Filia.

No, I owe it to Solon for being my mentor and teaching me how to use my grimoire.

The most important thing is that Filia-sama has learned to believe in herself. Now you are one step closer to becoming a full-fledged magician.

　I chuckled and stroked Filia's hair, and she smiled with a sly smile.

　Then I turn to Lucy.

'Solon I'm sorry for what happened. I've caused a lot of trouble for you.

'Don't worry about that. I'm so glad Dr. Lucy is okay.

　I bent down and released the chains on Lucy's restraints.
　Lucy stood up, but she wobbled, as if she wasn't feeling well in some way.

　I hurriedly held Lucy in my arms.
　Surprised, Lucy looked at me with her crimson eyes and her face turned red.

''So........solon.

Are you okay, doctor?

Well it's okay, as long as you're here.

　Even though the battle with Gapon has been settled, Lucy and her friends are still suspected of treason as members of the Free Alliance.
　Lucy and the others are forced to defect out of the country, and they can't stay in my mansion anymore.

''It's going to be tough going forward, isn't it?''

　I said.
　I'm not sure what's in store for us, what's in store for us, and what's going to happen to the Empire in the future, as well as Lucy and the others.
　Everything is unknown.

　Lucy hugged me and whispered to me.

'I think Alemania will have me and Letitia and the others on the run. But that doesn't mean I've given up on making Filia Emperor. It's the best thing for the Empire and I think it's the best thing for Filia herself and for me and your future.

'Yes. I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do now, too.

Yeah. You know ... Solon. We're going to be separated but even if we're far apart our paths will surely lead to the same one place.

　Then Lucy gently brought those lips to mine....
　She placed them on my lips.

　It took me a while to realize that I was being kissed.
　I could softly smell Lucy's sweet scent, and after a moment, she pulled away from me.

　I looked into her eyes and she smiled shyly.

'Because that's how it is,'

　I was upset.
　Well?
　Does this mean that Lucy likes me - likes me?

"It means she likes you as the opposite s*x, not as a mentor.

　Lucy chuckled at that.

　I panicked and looked around. Sophia and Claire looked aghast.
　And Filia's cheeks were red and she was staring at us with her blue eyes.

''Lucy you can't just run off!