Clarice screams in grief and stares at me.
　The spear of the spearman Ren, the spearman, had been placed against the neck of the hostage Clarice.

　I stand in front of Filia, holding my treasured sword at the ready, defending her.

　If Ren moved the spear even slightly, Clarice's life would be gone.
　Ren's demand is for Arte's custody.

''If I hand over Arte, will you really let Clarice-san go?

Of course I do. Do I look like the kind of person who would break a promise?

''I don't know. Though it turns out that I'm the kind of person who would invade someone else's mansion without permission, violate an unresisting artefact, and take an innocent maid hostage.

'Is this a time for sarcasm?　I know. This maid's child is dear to you, isn't she?

Yeah. You're very important to me, Clarice. ...If you so much as scratch Mr. Clarice, even a scratch. I'll never forgive Ren.

Are you threatening me?　You don't seem to know your place.

　Ren lightly moved his spear and released it from Clarice's neck.
　Then he slashed the entire shoulder of her maid's uniform.

''Kyaaaah!''

　Clarice screams.
　The shoulder of her maid's uniform was ripped open and exposed, a deep scar running down her shoulder.
　Not a small amount of blood and flowing from it.

''Clarice!''

　Ren grimaced at Filia's cry.

'It's okay to hurt not only the maids, but also the Imperial Highness, right?

　Don't be provoked.
　Clarice's wounds are heartbreaking just to look at, but they are not fatal.

　What I was concerned about was the effect of Ren's magic spear.
　Ren's Demon Spear Rune has a spell power that can kill an opponent with just a graze wound.

''Oh, don't worry. The curse power isn't in effect right now. Otherwise, there would be no point in holding a hostage.''

'I suppose so. But that doesn't mean you can't let Mr. Clarice get hurt. You're going to regret it, Ren.

'It was payback for the other day. How dare you embarrass me?

　He must be referring to the time when Ren came to the mansion with Creon.
　That time, I fought Ren one-on-one and won.

'For now, please drop that handy sword.

　I did as I was told and threw the treasure sword tetracord down on the spot.
　If I didn't, it would mean killing Clarice.

　Ren smiled at me.

''A person's worth is not equivalent. This maid's child, the princess's highness, and then Arte. Put them in order and think carefully about who should be given priority.'

'May I have a little consultation with Lady Filia?

Good.

　I look back at Filia.
　Filia stared back at me with a nervous look on her face.

　If I had to choose between helping Clarice or Arte, I would choose Clarice.

　However, it was my promise to Flora that I would protect Arte, and I said so to Arte himself.
　Looking at Ren's treatment of Arte until just now, if he gave Arte to Ren, he didn't know what kind of trouble he would face.
　There are guardian warriors Galerus and others in the Order, and they might even try to inflict abuse on Arte.

　Then what should I do?

　I gently put my mouth close to Filia's ear.
　Filia blushes.

'So, Solon...?'

Listen to me, Lady Filia.

　I gave Filia a short earful.　
　Filia's eyes widened.

　When Filia finished listening to my plan, she nodded her head a little anxiously.

''Can I........do it?''

You can do it. I could do it, even during the fight with Gapon. You can trust yourself now, can't you, Lady Filia?

'Well yes, I'm going to try. Solon, give us the victory!

　I smiled and nodded, then turned to Ren.

'Is the discussion over?'

'Oh all right. Can you let Mr. Clarice go? We can take Arte instead.

　Arte was lying on the floor with a look of despair on his face.
　Abandoned, he thought.

　Clarice was pushed away by Ren's hand. I screamed and held Clarice as she fell toward me.
　Without a sword in my hand, I can't fight Ren.

　Ren grabbed Arte's arm and tried to pull him to the ground forcibly.
　It looks like Arte tried to resist, but Ren kicks him in the stomach and he screams.
　He also punched her in the cheek as hard as he could, and Arte was unable to move.

　From Ren's point of view, all that's left is to re-activate the magic circle and get out of this place.
　As long as I can't fight, you can expect me to act like that.

　But I won't let that happen.

''Filia-sama!

Yeah!

　At my signal, Filia drew her wand and then, with swift precision, slammed her flame magic at Ren.