Chapter 26

"Kyaahhh!!"

The woman screamed and hugged the girl, shielding her.

Amid the people fleeing in confusion, several individuals cast spells at Fenrir. Surprised, Fenrir stepped back and growled fiercely.

"Are you okay!?"

Charlotte ran to the trembling mother, encouraging her to stand up.

"Standing is scary, isn't it? But please try...!! Fenrir is being held back by other people right now!"

"Help...! My legs are shaking, please, take care of this child...!"

"Sure, bring the child to me! I'll carry and run away with them!"

Hearing Charlotte's cry, the surrounding people lent a hand.

"I'll carry and run, bring the girl over here!"

"Uu... Uwaa, waaan!!"

"Good girl. It's okay, it's okay!"

The man who entrusted the girl and several other people started running with the girl's mother. Meanwhile, other people shouted.

"Is there anyone else who can use attack magic!? Help, we need to stop Fenrir!!"

A few people who could fight surrounded Fenrir, casting spells one after another. However, Fenrir's smooth fur repelled all of them.

(Magic resistance! The spells won't work unless they are powerful enough!)

People on the main street fled, their faces pale. Even though the magic didn't work, Fenrir crouched low and started growling deeply at the loud sounds and lights.

"No good, we can't stop it!! Everyone who can't fight, run!!"

(I should... Normally, I wouldn't be of any help here...!)

Charlotte tightly gripped the blue stone at her chest.

(As people run away, the commotion will spread throughout the city. If the news reaches Ozvalt, he will teleport to the scene of the disturbance.)

She knew that Ozvalt would act without hesitation in an emergency. However, he could only teleport if he knew the location of the disturbance.

(If Ozvalt only receives the information that 'something has happened' but doesn't know the location... He will teleport to me...!)

After all, Charlotte was acting alone while a major commotion was happening in the city. To Ozvalt, Saint Charlotte was a person who could cause mischief. If he couldn't determine the location of the incident, he would suspect her involvement and use the 'lost tag' to find her.

(I am a marker! I can't leave this place until Ozvalt arrives. I must not get in the way, and...)

At that moment, Fenrir roared again.

"......!"

A shiver ran through the air, and Charlotte's body trembled. Her eyes widened in surprise.

(Oh, maybe it's on guard! My body!! Even though I don't think Fenrir is scary, my body is telling me not to move recklessly!!)

This was a troublesome situation.

(As Mr. Hydemarie said, this body seems to retain some unconscious memories from before I lost my memory...! In other words, this Fenrir is a formidable enemy according to my previous senses!?)

Since the first time she saw Fenrir, she had felt resistance to getting close. Before losing her memory, Charlotte would have been cautious and avoided it.

Hugging herself unconsciously, Charlotte felt lost.

(So... so scared...)

She swallowed hard, recognizing such emotions.

(Why am I scared!! I must be of use to Ozvalt. Otherwise, I won't deserve to be by his side...)

Just then,

"Big brother, wait for me!"

"Ahaha, this way!!"

(!!)

From a narrow alley, a young brother and sister ran out.

Fenrir, as if startled, turned to look at them. Then, ignoring the people trying to stop it with magic, it kicked the brick road with its front paws.

"Stop!!"

Fenrir leaped over the circle and ran straight ahead.

Fenrir was heading towards the young siblings. The innocent smiles on the children's faces froze as they realized the approaching beast.

"No...!!"

Charlotte shook off her stiffness.

She ran across the snow-covered road, reaching out to the children. She hugged them to protect them, turning her back to Fenrir, just as—

"——!!"

A short cry rang out.

(......?)

There was no impact on her body, as she had braced herself for. Instead, Charlotte heard the voice of someone she loved.

In front of Charlotte, the hem of a coat fluttered.

"—Are you safe, Charlotte?"

"Ozvalt-sama...!!"

Looking up, she saw Fenrir growling with its head lowered and Ozvalt standing calmly in front of it.

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