Noble

(Quietly... quietly open the door...) ...Phew, no one is here. Just as Camelia expected so far.

(The lunch break shift change is in about 10 minutes, Camelia will have to hurry up...)

Huh? Miss Camelia? Aren't you on your lunch break? Or do you have something else to do?

Oh! Uh... C-Camelia is awake and just wanted to come out for a walk...

The other masters seem to have gone out. If you are going out, please let me accompany you.

(Camelia is just carrying out the escape plan when the others have been summoned by the pope!) Uh, um... Camelia will be fine alone...

...Speaking of which, what's in the pack on your back? It looks heavy.

Ahaha, well, how do I explain it... It's just a little something to carry around...

You're not... thinking of running away from the family again, are you? I have been entrusted by the lord to watch over you and not let you leave without permission.

Waah, waaaaah...

Now, now, please go back to your room.

(Damn it, this is the last chance! I'll just do it...) Ohhh, ! Take this!

, Oh no, I... got hit... in the head...

S-Sorry for knocking you out... but Camelia has to get out of here and out of the family. It's a good choice for the family too...

(Brother once told Camelia that there was a secret passage leading outside, so she can bypass the guards at the gate!)

Map, map... That's right, it's in the study! Hmm... I don't think he said anything about how to open the entrance to the secret passage though?

There is a pencil holder on the desk and a button deep inside that opens a hidden door behind the bookcase.

Ooooh! So that's how works! Thanks!, EEK! Sally?! W-What are you doing here?

I'm the head housekeeper in charge of the family's daily affairs, so of course I'm the one who steps in when the head of the family is away.

I checked the security cameras and found the guard knocked out on the ground... Camelia, you're not thinking of running away from home again, are you?

Uh, um... Camelia is just...

Sigh... I know the family is in a bit of turmoil because of the conflict between the God Eaters and the Church, but this shouldn't be a reason for you to want to run away, right?

Or do you no longer consider us to be your family?

No, that's not it! Camelia loves Sally and everyone else! It's just... Camelia is a coward and has no way to make up her mind right now.

Determination?

We, as a noble bloodline, must ultimately choose whether to be on the side of the Church or the God Eaters.

Whether it's Guinevere or Vivi, they are both Camelia's childhood friends... Camelia cannot choose either side as an enemy.

...

Camelia... does not want to fight them. I also don't want to affect the interests of the family because I am a coward... so Camelia wants to stay away from this situation.

Oh, my dear child. You have never caused any trouble, from childhood to now.

...Follow me.

Sally? W-Where are you taking Camelia?

The exit of the secret passage has been managed by the family for a long time. Escaping from there is a fool's errand.

I'm taking you to the exit that the family uses to perform fieldwork. You will be able to leave from there.

H-Huh?!

Don't just stand there, catch up.

Sally?

This child is a newly recruited servant. She has asthma from inhaling dust while cleaning, so I'm taking her out to see a doctor.

Huh? Then why don't you go through the front door...?

Submitting a request to go out will take at least a few more hours, and I don't want to delay the treatment. Or are you not comfortable with what I'm saying?

No, how would I dare? Please go right ahead!

...Okay, I'll take you out here soon. There are quite a few traps here, so don't touch anything. Just follow me.

It's sunshine! ...I really came out!

I can only send you to this point. Close by is the civilian area, you have common currency and tickets prepared, right?

Oh... Thank you, Sally.

...Take note that I'm going behind the backs of the masters to help you, not because I agree with you wanting to stay out of the way, but because I don't want you to keep hiding in the room.

Remember, if you encounter any problem that can't be solved, you can still return to the family, We will not abandon you.

... Can I also ask you to tell everyone ''sorry'' from me? I'm... I'm going then.

Is this the shopping street? I've never come here on my own before...

Huh? Isn't that the dessert take-out place Camelia used to order from? Why is no one inside?

That's not the only thing... Where did the crowd go? What in the world happened while Camelia was in her room?

, Found it! Hey! You there! Stop!

Eek! C-Camelia didn't do anything!

I haven't seen you before! Where did you come from?

(Huh? Why are these people dressed weirdly?) Camelia is... from the city area.

City area? ...Did you come from the Church area?

Isn't this area under the Church's jurisdiction? ...Did I leave Augustine already?

Hmph! You're playing dumb! This became God Eaters territory half a month ago!

Huh?! Um, I... (Oh no, all I information I have is what I heard from others... And it's all out of date!)

There is no further need to talk to you! Hey, everyone! Arrest this person! She's likely a Church spy!

What?! W-Wait! I'm innocent!

Ugh... This kind of strength and magical skill is not something that ordinary people can master. You really are a Church spy!

, Aaaahh! What is going on?! Stop chasing Camelia!

(Sobbing) Little Camelia is hurt...

I just need a little blood to heal, but there's no one familiar here...

...Hey, isn't that Victoria's chef? I need to muster up the courage and ask her for help!

I appreciate your help!

It's okay. Miss Audrey is just ahead. Go find her.

Huff... Huff... F-Finally lost them... But where is this?

Huh? Camelia?

Aahh, ! Audrey! Oh thank goodness, I finally meet someone I know... Huh? Who are the people behind you...?

Speaking of which, you've been shutting yourself away in your room. These are Guinevere's men, and my bodyguards. What's going on?

Um, it's a long story...

I see. Running away from home? Should I call you brave, or reckless...?

...Ugh.

Anyway, I've told the God Eaters about your situation and they won't give you a hard time anymore...To be honest, it's not necessarily a bad thing that you chose to stay away from the chaos of the Empire.

But everyone will have to face a battle they cannot avoid, it's just that your battlefield is not here.

Huh, what do you mean, Audrey?

...Nothing. I asked the God Eaters warriors to accompany you to the station, as a small token of my gratitude to your family.

I hope you don't get into any more trouble on your way out of here. Best to be careful.

The station is up ahead. It's a neutral public place, and our men keep order there. You can rest assured and walk through the place, Miss Camelia.

And... We're sorry that we were hasty and were rude to you. We will reflect on our failings when we return.

No, no! Camelia doesn't mind that anymore! (I just hope you won't run into Camelia's friends in the Church...)

You're the wretched God Eaters after all! The disturbance you caused in the central area is against the rules of the Church. Turn yourselves in!

Tch, we've been exposed! Miss Camelia, run! Leave this to us!

Okay! But before I do... Let Camelia help you!

A magic that condenses blood energy into a shield! That's really useful, thanks! Please take care, Miss Camelia!

I-I hope we meet again!

(Faster, faster, even faster! Just a few more steps and I'm out of here!) ...Huh?

(A m-massive explosion! The houses in front of us collapsed due to the aftershocks!)

Aaaaahhh!

(Oh no, did the Echo Crystal explosion reach the people nearby?! Is it trying to attack me?)

, Ugh... Is there... anyone there...

(I-It's not anyone Camelia knows... But it looks like her leg is crushed by the rubble... An innocent person got hurt because of me...)

S-Sorry, Camelia is just a passer-by... Do you need help?

...

(Oh no! She passed out! Did Camelia delay it for too long?!), Hang in there!

A safe and quiet place nearby... a safe place... That's the only place I can think of!

(The slums under the jurisdiction of the God Eaters... We're not likely to be spotted there!) ...Argh, I hope I make it in time...

(I can only bet on the recovery skills I inherited! By using my own Case cells as an antibody to stimulate her self-healing!)

...Ugh. Ah... Aaaargh...

Sorry! (Cell burning causes a lot of pain, but it's the only solution Camelia can think of right now...)

It hurts! ...Huh? How did I... Where is this?

Um, it's a long story...

I see... Miss Camelia brought me here because she saw me fall with a serious injury. Did you also heal my leg injury?

Um... T-That's...

You must be a noble or a high-ranking priest of the Church to be able to use such a high level of magic.

...Sorry. Camelia knows that nobles are not welcome here, so she doesn't want to disclose her identity...

I don't mean to interrogate you. Plus, you saved me... Thinking about it, I'm lucky the one I encountered that day was you.

Huh?

The Church and the God Eaters have been clashing for some time. We avoided getting hurt the first few times, but this time I'm directly affected...

If it wasn't for Camelia's help, I probably would have ended up with an amputated leg Thank you very much indeed, Miss Camelia.

Whaaaa... (The conflict will happen there. Camelia is partly responsible too, and stepped in to save others out of guilt.)

(But, I can't say such a thing... Besides, Camelia is just a coward who wants to run away...)

...Huh?! Where did you bratty kids come from! Why are you on our turf!

You two stinking brats! This is our territory! Get the hell out of here!

(He has a weapon. Camelia's magic is almost depleted, and I still have to take care of the wounded...) I-I understand. We'll leave now...

...Huh? Wait, you are so well dressed... You're not some rich person, right? Great! Give me everything you have that's worth money!

M-Move! (Oh no, I got in trouble again... Whatever Camelia does ends in failure. It's true...)

[Light of Divine Retribution].

W-What? It's the Church's magic!, Aaah! W-Who are you?!

I command you, in the name of the Holy Lady of the Church of Augustus. Stop the current atrocities immediately.

, Damn it! Isn't this God Eaters' territory?! And how did you get in here?!

V... Vivi?!

...Sorry, we'll talk later. Let's get rid of the trouble before everyone in the God Eaters notice.

That should have taken its toll... There was no damage to internal organs, but the pain was enough to make them pass out.

Phew... Vivi sure can clean the floor with those thugs! Huh? How did you know Camelia is here?

Miss Audrey informed your family, and your family asked me to track your magic. Things happened, and I found you here.

...Is Camelia's family trying to get Camilla to go back?

They just want me to protect you until you leave the Empire. I heard that Miss Camelia chose to leave because she didn't want to make an enemy of her friends.

...So, if there can be a way to reduce fighting with each other, can Camelia consider being on my side?

Eh? Vivi, what do you mean...?

I... don't want to continue the fight anymore. Neither Guinevere's change nor Her Holiness' rule is what everyone expected.

Then it is up to me to find a new path for everyone. Different from the Church of the past, different from the opposite, the God Eaters, but a new... future.

How about it, will you be able to come with me?

...Vivi doesn't mind Camelia's troublesome and timid nature?

Kindness and thinking of others are your shining qualities, not flaws... Of course, I hope you can muster up a little courage too. Just a little is enough.

Camelia... I understand. Vivi, please tell me... What can I do in order to take back my daily life?

What you can do... This is not the place to discuss it, and my identity here is a sensitive topic, it's better if we first...

, There are people from the Church here?! Damn it! They're always sneaking around foiling our efforts!

Uh, I'm not... Looks like it's useless to explain.

Miss Camelia, let's leave while we can!

Alright!

Sigh... Finally out.

Vivi, you have been suppressing your power.

I can't lay hands on them... Everyone's not a criminal, and didn't do anything wrong.

...Vivi, Camelia already knows what she should do.

Huh?

...Camelia has to go back to the clan first and give a proper apology to everyone.

And after that, what else do you have in mind?

Since Camelia is part of the family... Then I have to take the responsibility to convey Vivi's ideas to the rest of the clans and convince them.

Camelia is weak and can't do anything on her own... But because of that, she knows how to work with everyone!

...Oh? It seems it pays to go out once in a while. You've grown, Camelia.

Huh? Really? Heh heh... Well! Just ask Vivi to accompany me on a trip back. They won't teach Camelia a lesson in front of the guests.

(Miss Camelia, smart genes are used in strange places, but I finally have a companion who has views that align with mine.

That way of dressing means you guys are from the Church, right?

Uh, we...

I'm not here to find out who you are! Since you're from the Church, you should know the classification of medical supplies!

I can't walk. Can you please go to the storehouse and help me take inventory and tell my assistants which medical supplies should be sent where?

I understand. Just tell us where to go, Grandpa.

Hm... You guys are the assistants that old grandpa doctor was talking about? He asked Camelia and Vivi to come and assist you.

Great, you guys are finally here! The medicines are all piled up here. We were worried about not having anyone to help sort them! Well, I'll count on you guys!

The general sorting is done. I hope it will help people here.