Chapter 4
Flowers bloomed wildly throughout the garden.
Pale lights drifted through the air.
The knights murmured nervously among themselves.
But the person at the center of it all—
“Fwaaaah…”
—was completely absorbed in the fluffy creature.
“Amazing… It’s so soft… It’s alive…”
Her sense of wonder was focused in a rather unusual direction.
The small silver-white magical beast seemed comfortable as well, purring happily.
“…Has it become attached to her?”
“No way.”
The knights were bewildered.
Magical beasts were generally very cautious creatures.
It was unheard of for one to approach a complete stranger this closely.
Even Yuris was surprised.
“Sole, aren’t you scared?”
“Huh?”
Sole blinked at him in confusion.
“Why would I be? It’s so cute.”
At that moment—
The magical beast’s tail swished wildly.
“…Does it understand that it was just complimented?”
“So smart.”
Sole’s eyes sparkled even brighter.
And then—
A gentle wave of magical power leaked out from her again.
The flowers and grass throughout the garden rustled noisily.
The air trembled ever so slightly.
The knights’ expressions changed immediately.
“There it is again…”
“The barrier is reacting.”
Yuris frowned and quietly moved closer to Sole.
“Sole.”
“Hm?”
“Try taking a deep breath.”
“A deep breath?”
“Yeah.”
Following his instructions, Sole inhaled slowly.
Strangely enough, the trembling in the air gradually subsided.
“…Did it stop?”
“What was that just now…?”
The knights whispered among themselves.
Only Sole herself understood absolutely nothing.
“Huh?”
Just then—
A commotion arose near the entrance to the garden.
One of the knights hurriedly bowed his head.
“M-Minister!”
“…”
Sole turned around.
Standing there was her father,
Mishnight.
And not only him.
Her eldest brother, Shurles, and her second brother, Aalto, were there as well.
Everyone was present.
“Eh?”
Why?
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Everyone was staring at her.
Instinctively, Sole hugged the magical beast tighter.
“…Sole.”
A low voice called out.
It was her father.
Was he angry?
No.
Something felt different.
Mishnight slowly approached and reached out toward Sole’s cheek.
His hand felt cool against her skin.
“You’re cold.”
“Huh?”
“Your complexion is poor as well.”
“Ehh, but I’m perfectly—”
“You’re not.”
An immediate rejection.
Sole promptly shut her mouth.
Her father stared at her intently.
His gaze was stern.
And yet…
There was a trace of anxiety hidden within it.
“That’s enough for today.”
“Ehhh!?”
Despair washed over Sole.
“It’s only been about five minutes!!”
“That’s enough.”
“That’s way too short!!”
Yuris let out a wry smile.
“Father, surely she can stay a little longer…”
“No.”
An instant refusal.
But at that moment—
Suddenly—
BZZZT.
The garden barrier emitted a sharp sound.
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
The knights all reached for their swords at the same time.
“…Who is it?”
Shurles’ voice dropped low.
In the next moment—
A massive magic circle appeared high above them.
A pale silver-blue glow spread across the sky.
It was an unfamiliar spell formation.
Not one from their own country.
Aalto’s eyes widened.
“That magic circle… It can’t be…”
And then—
Space itself distorted, as though it were being torn apart.
