… … …


  The place is around the gate of the mansion of count Claire which is located in the center of the city.

  The sphere of light that had risen on top of the city made the entire city experience daylight at night.

  Soon enough it’s being followed by the commotion made by the soldiers that is staying in the mansion.

  「Oi, what happened. It’s so bright outside, has the sun already risen? 」


  「I don’t know!　That sphere of light just suddenly appeared on top of the city」


  An old soldier who is taking a light nap inside the station right beside the gate appeared in hearing the commotion.

  Though he have heard what just happen, he’s not expecting to hear a reply that will make him understand the situation.

  And there, he saw a figure approaching the gate.

  「Who’s that? 」


  The soldier who noticed the figure of a person asked in loud voice.

  「…………. Woman? 」


  There, they saw a young girl whose entire body is hidden by robe. Her face is fully exposed since it’s not covered by the hood of the robe.

  Her light purple colored hair sparkling brightly under the lumination of the sphere of light that is shining above the city.

  「That, hair color…………..」


  「D-D-D-Doesn’t she have the same features as the ojou-sama in the notification?. They tell us to protect her if we were to find the girl with light purple colored hair」


  Those soldiers were fascinated by the fairy-like beauty of the girl and were just standing in a daze at their place.

  And then, the girl suddenly turned around while those soldiers were scrambling around in confusion.

  Almost at the same time, the bright sphere of light above the city is rapidly being extinguished. The darkness of the night descending upon the city for the second time.

  「W-WAIT!　AH, I MEAN, PLEASE WAIT A MINUTE!! 」


  Despite the soldier calling her to stop, the girl isn’t waiting for them. She vanished like a smoke inside the darkness.

  「C-CALL THE SOLDIERS IN THE MANSION RIGHT NOW!　WE WILL CHASE AFTER HER!!! 」


  「Y-YES! 」


  After the old soldier suddenly issued such a order, the younger soldiers immediately run into the mansion with breakneck speed.

  As for the light-purple haired girl who they’re looking around, she was looking at their exchange from above.

  （Aisia. Lure the soldiers inside the mansion. Please make sure they see you around the vicinity of the mansion, and then lure them from the mansion toward the north block of the city）


  The girl―― Aisia, heard Rio’s voice resounding in her head. Her hair color changed to light-purple with spirit arts.

  （Understood）


  After replying to Rio with her inorganic voice, Aisia descended on the ground for the second time.

  ☆★☆★☆★

  Rio strengthening his body and then running atop the roof of the building that is lining in rows―― Toward the north block.

  「HURRY!　SHE WON’T BE ABLE TO MOVE THAT FAR YET. SHE MIGHT BE TRYING TO ESCAPE FROM THE NORTH GATE. SEARCH THE VICINITY THOROUGHLY! 」


  Despite the night time, numerous soldiers were scattering around the streets.

  Being lured by Aisia, the soldiers inside the rampart were lured till the north block.

  After finding out that the soldiers were moving in two-man team, Rio leaped toward them like a bird of prey.

  He’s hiding the sound of his steps with wind spirit arts. After quietly landing on the ground, he had driven a blow even before the soldier noticed him.

  「GUA」


  「GA!」


  The soldier fainted the next moment and then collapsed on the ground. The iron baton which became the soldiers must have equipment is rolling nearby.

  Rio grabbed the iron baton with his right hand after noticing that it is rolling nearby.

  He then swung it around to get used to the feeling. After getting accustomed to the baton, he concealed himself by jumping toward the roof for the second time.

  After that, he can hear various small commotions coming from many directions from the soldiers who is moving as a small team and heading toward the north block――


  （Haruto）


  After hiding his figure near the north gate, Aisia’s figure materialized before him.

  「Thank you for your hard work. I want you to make yourself appear to be escaping from this gate after I’m opening this gate. This will be your last job for this operation, Aisia」


  Rio is saying so while looking at the gate which is illuminated with watch-fire from his hiding place. And sure enough, there’s many more soldiers than usual since they’re being very careful to not let anyone escape.

  「Okay」


  After nodding at him, Rio put on the hood of his robe enough to hide his facial expression.

  The next moment, Rio dashed toward the north gate without showing any hestitation.

  His boots which are made of the leather of dragon sub-species is stamping on the ground, as he pushed himself forward toward the gatekeepers like a bullet. After getting into an inch distance from the gatekeeper, he swung the baton without giving any chance for the soldiers to notice anything.

  「GUH」


  3 of the 5 gatekeepers fell with that blow.

  「HA, EH,………. AAAAH? 」


  By the time the remaining 2 soldiers noticed Rio, it’s already too late. As soon as they saw his figure, they feel a blow from their back and then they’re already unconscious in the next moment.

  （The equipment to open the gate is inside the station）


  In order to open the gate of the mansion, Rio is entering the station that become one right by the side of the gate.

  Though he found an old soldier inside, he promptly made him faint and then proceeded to tinker with the mechanic to open the gate.

  Then there’s a loud sound of the gate started to open.

  The soldiers in the vicinity become noisy once they hear the sound of gate being opened.

  「OI SOMEONE OPENED THE GATE! 」


  「THE GATE IS OPEN. I SEE A GIRL BELOW THE GATE! 」


  When the north gate is opened enough for one person to enter, Rio sent a telepathic communication to Aisia.

  （It’s your turn, Aisia. Please merge with me when you find the right moment）


  （Understood）


  Aisia is dashing following after Rio’s signal. Rio is leaving the station and heading toward the southern block before even losing the sight of Aisia who is leaving from the north gate.

  ☆★☆★☆★

  10 minutes after Rio and Aisia is commencing their operation.

  Celia-tachi is climbing over the wall of the mansion of count Claire and safely escaped from the mansion area.