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“Where do you plan to go after going through the gate, Dear Angel?”
“I’ll go back to the Kingdom first. There I’ll cleanse myself in a church that I trust, and dispel any doubts about me being a witch.”
“I see. But, are you okay with that? Didn’t you come to the Empire to meet the Belbed Caravan? If you leave the Empire now you never know when you’ll get another chance to see it.”
“It’s fine. It’s not a particularly urgent matter, and I have no intention of spending my life worrying about such a trivial thing.”
“You’re quite stubborn.”

While solemnly proceeding with her ‘preparations,’ Seletina expressed her judgment in a self-serving manner.

Lichter, who tended to be a bit idle, was in the process of cleaning his kukri knives.

“Um, I heard you mention the Belbed Caravan, Dear Angel, but do you perhaps wish to meet with Imitia Belbed?”

The young soldier Kauf asked softly, as he was doing the tasks given to him by Seletina.

“That’s right. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s the reason for my visit to the Empire. Though with how things have developed, that’s not important now.”
“I guess you’re right… B-But, still…”

Kauf muttered as if he wanted to say something. Lichter looked at Kauf, who was not very articulate, with a dubious gaze and asked,

“What’s up?”
“Well… How should I put this…”
“Don’t be afraid. Say what’s on your mind.”
“Okay.”

Kauf gulped as he continued,

“You might never get to see Imitia Belbed again.”

Upon hearing this, Seletina’s hand involuntarily stopped, and Lichter’s previously sleepy demeanor now fully focused on Kauf.

“Could you explain, with as much detail as possible, what you mean Kauf?”

Kauf nodded his head and continue,

“Well, we, Lord Zeeney and his soldiers, were a group that was sent to the Fortified City of Ulbdor. As you’ve seen, not that many are left, but originally there were around 500 of us.”
“What, is there a war or something in Ulbdor?”

Lichter asked, to which Kauf shook his head.

“It’s Demons. A vast army of demons appeared to engulf Ulbdor. Some people are calling it the second coming of the Elugor Disaster. We also fought, but even so, it all came to nothing. We were forced to retreat on Lord Zeeney’s command.”
“How ridiculous.”
“Perhaps seeing that hellish scene broke Lord Zeeney’s heart. He was not a good man by any means, but still, he was not a man who would use children as decoys, or who would be so defensive that he would frame you as a witch, Dear Angel. I’ll go back to our original topic.”

Kauf said and continued his original trail of thought, “The Fortified City of Ulbdor is on its wits end. And the Great Belbed Caravan are still trapped inside, unable to escape. That’s why I said it would likely be impossible to meet Imitia…”

Kauf swallowed his words, feeling there was no need to say more than that.

Seletina froze in place. The expression on her face showed a mix of mourning, anger, impatience, and even tears could be seen slowly welling up inside her eyes.

She paused for a beat, and her mouth tightened.

“Lichter.”
“Yes?”
“After I escape from Leverence I’m heading straight for Ulbdor. You go back to the Kingdom.”
“What a twist.” Licher said.
“Dear Angel?!”

Kauf exclaimed, rising from his seat.

“You can’t! The number of Demons is different from when you rescued us! Regardless of how many lives we have, it will still not be enough! Please reconsider!”

Kauf’s face turned bright red as his emotions soared.

“I am very aware of the danger. I’m not planning on slaughtering the Demons. My goal is to get Imitia out of Ulbdor. Lichter, I’ll write a letter about this and give it to you later. I want you to take it to His Majesty and my Father. You’ve done great until now. Thank you for everything.”

Seletina turned to Lichter and slowly bowed her head.

“Like I’d let you hog all the fun to yourself.”
“What?”
“It’s the second coming of the disaster. There’s no way you’re leaving me out of such an event.”
“Are you insane?”
“Like you’re one to talk.” Lichter laughed happily as he said that.
“You have a point there.”

Seletina said with a half-hearted smile.

“Y-You can’t! You can’t! It’s completely out of the question! That place is hell. Forget getting someone out, it’s impossible to get inside!”
“I have a card up my sleeve when it comes to getting in. Though I don’t have a clue as to what will happen after we’re in.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. Imitia is one of my few friends.”

Seletina said, her eyes narrowing. There was nothing Kauf could say to her. Despite his young age Kauf had already lost a number of dear people to him. Which is why he fully understood how Seletina felt about her friend.

Yet, still.

“…….”

He didn’t want to lose Seletina.

An indecisiveness had found its place inside Kauf’s heart. Seletina smiled as she watched Kauf bite his lower lip, tears welling in his eyes.

“You can’t! You just can’t! You’ll definitely die! I can’t send you off to Ulbdor!”
“Kauf.”
“Dear Angel, I know you’re strong. And so is Sir Lichter. But no matter how you look at it, you are powerless in front of that overwhelming number of Demons! They won’t show you any mercy!”
“Kauf.”
“I… I…”
“Kauf, the young warrior.”

A warm feeling filled Kauf’s eyes. His nose began to run, and his small body trembled.

Seletina looked at Kauf with compassionate eyes, smiling like a compassionate mother, she slowly extended her hand.

“Come.”

Seletina’s shapely cherry-red lips moved. Kauf was drawn into Seletina’s arms, and her slender fingers slowly stroked his back.

“Thank you for worrying about me, young soldier. However, I will make it back alive. I promise. I’m an angel, aren’t I? I have divine protection bestowed upon me.”

Seletina’s sweet scent enveloped Kauf, and the warmth of her body and the touch of her soft skin calmed him.

“You’ll let me go, won’t you Kauf?”
“I-I will…”
“In that case let’s continue our preparations. And Kauf, please do not move much. It’ll be a big problem if something gets shifted.”

Seletina said with a smile. Their target was set. Their strategy was ready. All that was left to carry it out.

A small flame of resolve flickered in the depths of Seletina’s eyes. There was half an hour to go before the scheduled barricade’s collapse.