Chapter 14

Maina broke away from the crowd and dashed off at full speed.

She had heard the commotion while out doing some shopping and decided to take a detour. She never expected to see her master standing boldly in the midst of the chaos.

(As expected of Master Shiro... to be able to sense someone trying to jump out from such a large crowd.)

Indeed, even if Maina had rushed to Shiro, she wouldn't have been much help. Maina didn't think that Shiro would be defeated by such a group, but the scene included other knights, adventurers, and even children. To protect everyone, more hands were needed. Shiro's gaze seemed to convey this to Maina.

(I have to tell them quickly...)

Changing direction abruptly, Maina darted into a back alley.

"Uncle! I'm borrowing the wall again today!"

There, for some unknown reason, the old gentleman was standing as usual.

"Miss, as I've said many times, that wall isn't mine. It belongs to the owners of the houses on either side."

Ignoring the old gentleman's perfectly reasonable response, Maina concentrated her magic.

"Come forth, spirits of the wind! Spring breeze boots,

Grant me the light wind of the flower dance!"

Using wind magic to lighten her body, Maina kicked off the ground and alternately kicked the buildings to climb up. She landed on the roof and sprinted toward her destination.

(Please wait for me, Master Shiro!)

She leaped from roof to roof, racing south through the capital. This was the opposite direction of the Third Knights' quarters.

(A considerable force is needed to crush the villains...)

It was absolutely unacceptable for a maid of the Turkis family to involve Serena and Nina in this.

Maina, despite her bright and playful nature, was a girl with a strong sense of justice. She had no tolerance for letting rough and violent people run rampant in the peaceful capital.

So, her mind was set on only one thing: "to give them a good beating."

In short, the eye contact between Shiro, who wanted to arrest Gram as a criminal, and Maina, who wanted to crush the villains who had involved the children, completely missed the mark.

(I'll call for reinforcements right away!)

With a strong kick, Maina leaped into the air. She held down her skirt with her hands and landed in front of the Turkis family's gate.

"Miss Maina, as I always say, you'll show your underwear one of these days."

John, standing in front of the guardhouse, sighed in exasperation. However, Maina ignored his teasing and jumped into his arms.

"Huh? What!?"

John blushed and blinked in surprise at the sudden action. It seemed she had returned in a great hurry, as Maina was breathing heavily, her shoulders rising and falling.

"It's an emergency!! Mr. John!!"

"O-Okay, calm down! ...What happened?"

Seeing Maina's tense expression, John regained his composure.

"Master Shiro...!"

"......?"

Why did his name come up here? John, completely left behind, raised a question mark. However, the words that followed from Maina immediately brought him back to reality.

"A fight broke out in front of the school... Master Shiro, who intervened in the incident, is being attacked by the private soldiers of Count Cardy! Lady Serena and Lady Nina are still at the school...!"

"What!?"

John's expression stiffened. His daughter Nina was with her. Even though she had received combat training, it was natural for a parent to worry.

"Where's Aika?"

"She's helping the children evacuate with Ellis."

"...I see."

Relieved to hear that they were safe, John sighed. However, there was no guarantee that they would remain safe. Unconsciously, his hand tightened. He was the gatekeeper of the Turkis family.

John suppressed his urge to rush out immediately.

"First, we need to report to Lady Celia."

Maina nodded strongly in response to John's words. The two of them hurried into the house.

In the living room, people were conveniently gathered: Celia, Will, Tomason, Ren, and Misha. Ratts, who had been tending the garden, stopped his work and rushed over, sensing the unusual atmosphere.

After hearing the situation from Maina, tension spread across everyone's faces.

"Such a thing..."

Celia, hearing about her husband and daughter's predicament, slumped in sorrow.

"Please keep your composure, Lady Celia."

Ren, standing by her side, offered her a chair and helped her sit down.

"Ren..."

"Master Shiro is not the type to be outmatched by mere thugs. Lady Serena and Lady Nina have Ellis and Aika with them. They will be fine."

"That's right. With Ellis and Aika by their side, nothing will happen to Lady Serena and Lady Nina."

Tomason nodded strongly, trying to encourage Celia. Celia nodded but her expression did not clear. Her hands, folded on her lap, tightened.

"Lady Celia."

Ren gently placed his hand on Celia's.

"There's no need to worry, but we don't need to tolerate those who attack Master Shiro, put the young ladies and our companions, and even the children, in danger."

"That's right. The moment they challenged Master Shiro, they became enemies of the Turkis family... and..."

Tomason glanced at John.

"Lady Celia is not the only one whose family is in danger. The parents of all the children are in the same situation."

"Ah..."

Celia murmured and turned her gaze to John. His daughter was with hers.

"I'm sorry, Mr. John... I was only thinking about myself..."

Celia bowed her head honestly, and John smiled softly.

Celia, being the daughter of the royal family, did not flaunt her status. She was a kind and considerate woman, well-liked by everyone. John, who had known her since childhood, was both pleased and worried by her qualities.

John knelt on the floor and bowed to Celia.

"My daughter serves the Turkis family as her duty, and so do I. However, I am also a parent who cannot ignore my daughter's predicament. Please allow me to take leave."

"Whoa! Hold it! Mr. John!"

Ratts, panicked by John's resignation, raised his voice.

"Are you quitting!? I can take over as the gatekeeper! Why go that far!?"

Ratts, with exaggerated gestures, showed his incomprehension, and John chuckled.

"We need to take responsibility. Besides, I can't face my late wife if I don't go now."

"But... that's not a reason..."

"Besides, Ratts, aren't you making a sandbox for the prince?"

Will, who had learned a magic spell for a home garden, had, as expected, tried to cast it right in the middle of the garden. Celia and Ratts had calmed him down and agreed to make a sandbox at the back of the garden as his play area.

"Huh!? Don't say such nonsense! If the kid wants it, I'll turn the whole garden upside down and make it look new again!"

Ratts, rolling up his sleeves, showed his determination. Celia, watching this with wide eyes, couldn't help but smile. Although the situation was not one to be taken lightly, she seemed to have made up her mind and raised her face.

"That's right... I'll get scolded by Eka."

"Really, she's terrifying when she's angry."

John and Celia, scratching their heads, showed a nostalgic expression. But it was only for a moment. Celia stood up from her chair.

"Misha, I'm sorry, but please take care of Will. Everyone, prepare for battle. Ratts, get the carriage ready. We are about to begin the annihilation of the Cardy private soldiers who have attacked the Turkis family. Try not to kill them if possible."

The servants, standing straight, tilted their heads at the last sentence.

"Isn't that too lenient?"

Celia smiled at Ratts's hesitant question.

"They need to deeply regret involving the children. Please make them suffer so much that they think death would have been better."

Although it was an unreasonable request, the servants realized something.

(Lady Celia is angry...)

A soft but intense anger emanated from Celia.

"Hey...? Where's Master Will...?"

Just as they were about to take action, Misha looked around. Will had definitely been in the living room when Maina and the others rushed in.

Now, Will was nowhere to be found in the living room.