“Looks like he’s more of a gentleman than I expected.”
After seeing Fate and Albert off, Sofia murmured quietly to herself.
If she said she wouldn’t stand on the front lines, Albert would probably show displeasure.
He would say that he wanted her cooperation, not Fate’s.
That was what Sofia had expected…
But she was wrong.
Albert did not demand Sofia more than necessary, and he accepted Fate quite smoothly.
It wasn’t just that he had decided to trust Fate…
Given that the situation was practically a war, he probably didn’t want to send a woman like Sofia to the front lines.
“I appreciate the consideration. I really do. But…”
With a weary sigh, Sofia let out a breath.
Being treated as a woman and shown kindness honestly made her happy.
But that alone wasn’t enough.
She wanted to be of help to the person she loved, regardless of gender.
She wanted to stand beside him.
Perhaps Fate understood that unconsciously, because he never tried to bind Sofia more than necessary.
Protecting Aisha and the others was dangerous work too, but he entrusted it to her, believing she would be fine.
Supporting each other like that.
That was the ideal relationship Sofia longed for.
“That’s why… I truly love Fate.”
――――――――――
Sofia ran like the wind…
No.
Even faster than that, racing toward one of the safe houses owned by Albert.
Someone in his position maintained several evacuation sites throughout the city.
Aisha and the others were at one of them.
Just as Sofia was about to check on the safety of her precious family—
“Ugh, seriously! You’re so annoying!”
A familiar voice echoed as she neared the safe house.
Turning her gaze that way, she saw Licorice flying swiftly through the air, with several ruffians chasing after her.
“Don’t come any closer!”
While flying at high speed, Licorice thrust her palm toward the men pursuing her.
The ground swelled, and vines burst forth from it.
As if they had wills of their own, they wrapped around the ruffians, restraining their movements.
“Heh, see that!? This is the power of the absolutely invincible, all-purpose, transcendent, strongest, perfect, super-beautiful fairy—Licorice-chan!”
Licorice struck a smug pose, but—
“Hah! You think this is enough to stop us?”
“Don’t be stupid!”
“Pyaa!?”
The ruffians brute-forced their way out of the restraints and resumed their chase.
“Ugh—! I’m not good at fighting! Support is my specialty!”
For some reason, Licorice didn’t try to flee higher into the sky.
She flew just barely within the ruffians’ reach, darting around in all directions.
But that couldn’t last forever.
After repeatedly casting magic, her mana was running low, and her stamina was fading.
Her speed gradually dropped—until she was caught by the ruffians.
“Gyaa!? Let go, let go of me!?”
“Shut up and be quiet!”
“You really got in our way. You’re going to pay for this properly—”
“…What do you think you’re doing to Licorice?”
Zan!
Kicking off the wall of a building and diving down, Sofia severed the arm of the man who was holding Licorice in one clean motion.
He was probably part of the revolutionary army.
Someone who grieved over the state of the city and bravely rose up.
He might usually be a decent person…
But that didn’t matter.
Not in the slightest.
This man had laid hands on Licorice.
That made him an enemy.
Without the slightest hesitation or mercy, Sofia cut off his arm.
“Are you all right, Licorice?”
“So… So-fiiiiiaaaaa…!”
Even Licorice, tough as she was, must have been terrified.
She clung to Sofia, tears streaming endlessly down her face.
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