The central square is very noisy.

Upon hearing the news, the investigators who came to the center immediately blocked the central square in pairs, and only had to enter and not leave. In general, this kind of work should be done by the police...... However, because of the efficiency problem, when they are dispatched, I am afraid that people will have already disappeared. Before the arrival of the garrison, the investigators of the second search section can only be temporarily asked to help.

The frightened citizens whispered to each other, including cries and hysterical cries.

The cacophony of voices made Lloyd sad and glad at the same time.

The sad reason is that the people of the Old Town are inexplicably suffering from this unwarranted disaster, but fortunately, even if it is attacked in the middle of the night, the casualties in the Old Town are very small.

Compared with the list of residents of the old city provided by the police department, which is very watery, only 15 people have been injured so far, and the seriously injured and dead cannot be counted. But judging from the crowd of people who are crushed by the black, I am afraid that the number of seriously injured and dead will be ten or even less. If there are a lot of them, I am afraid that a large number of citizens will break through the police blockade and rush to the old city to save their families, or even choose to escape at all.

Sure enough, it's because of Yu-Tatsumi.

In the confusion and misery of the residents who escaped, Lloyd finally got a rough grasp of the current situation.

To be honest, such a huge monster suddenly appeared in the old city, and the time was still late at night, even if there were thousands of casualties, it was possible.

Nearly every resident would confide in Lloyd in a trembling voice how massive and unstoppable the terrible monster really was, and how the glowing black-haired youth flew around in mid-air to disturb the beast.

I don't know why Yu shines, but the descriptions of "black hair" and "flying around", Lloyd can basically be sure that this is Yu Tatsumi and his chain box.

With useless thoughts in his head, Lloyd asked for basic information about the next resident.

There has been such a catastrophe, and the identification of survivors is a must.

In fact, if you just deal with the situation, you can handle the work of the police station by simply counting the list of injured and dead residents. But Lloyd chose this extremely troublesome method anyway. Not just to gain the trust of the citizens, but also to Lloyd's own insistence, as a police officer and as a search officer.

To improve efficiency, Randy counts on the other side. The two men divide the refugees in two with the Crossbell Clock in the central square as the dividing line. Ellie's job is to move between the two, taking the list they have counted, and then correcting the errors in the original list of the police station.

This conscientious and responsible attitude should make residents have a better attitude towards the police. The fly in the ointment is that none of the three Lloyd wore police uniforms, otherwise the effect would have been better.

"Ah, Lloyd, how's it going?"

Suddenly, someone accosted him, and Lloyd subconsciously replied: "Barely controlled, but it would be better if there were a lot of blankets-ah......"

Looking back, it was the face that was becoming more and more familiar.

"You, hard work."

"Well, you're working harder."

You and Lloyd casually exchanged pleasantries, and Lixia stood aside obediently and quietly.

In her eyes, Yu Tatsumi, like her, is troubled by a dual identity.

However, seeing the relaxed conversation between the two people, Lixia was also happy for him from the bottom of her heart.

People who wander in the dark all year round will crave light more than normal people, and perhaps it is for this reason that Lixia will be half-pushed and half-pulled into the Rainbow Theater by Illya. Although she is in a different world from Illya, Lixia still considers Illya to be her most important person.

In Lixia's eyes, Lloyd and Yu Tatsumi have a similar relationship.

Lixia suddenly felt that her relationship with Yumi Tatsumi was closer. That's a kind of understanding like "empathy."

Sensing that his eyes were focused on his face, Lloyd noticed Lixia next to him. It was dark and the two were not very familiar, so Lloyd didn't recognize him for a while: "Hello Miss, are you also a resident of the old city?" ”

"Well, to be precise, I guess it's my colleague. The Rainbow Theatre Troupe lives in the Old Town. ”

Before Rexia could speak, Yuki Tatsumi immediately picked up the conversation.

If Lloyd's annoying powers of observation had exploded at this time, I'm afraid that Lixia would have been exposed...... At least unintentionally, Lloyd will see the clues.

"Well, that's right. Speaking of which, what's going on over there in the Old Town? ”

Hearing about the Old Town, Lloyd suddenly asked.

He didn't have time to find out about the situation in the Old Town, and the only source of information now was Yu Tatsumi, a man from the Old Town.

"The weak miscellaneous fish was killed by the invincible Yumi Tatsumi-sama - although I wanted to say so, Mr. Arios still stole the limelight and heroically defeated the monster. As for the damage, I didn't pay much attention to it, but maybe three or five buildings collapsed, right? ”

You said with some regret. Hearing the jokes and self-deprecation in his words, and selectively deleting them, Lloyd grasped the point as always: "Didn't shoot it, did it?" ”

You shrugged, sighed, and said with some reluctance: "Yes, you're right. Even Inspector Dudley and Mr. Arios were dispatched, but they didn't expect it to run away. That's a monster that's over thirty sub-feet tall...... It's ......."

"Really...... We'll discuss the details tomorrow when we meet. ”

Lloyd secretly drifted his gaze to Lixia and motioned to Yu-Tatsumi not to discuss this kind of thing in front of the victim.

"That...... Excuse me, can I leave? I've got training tomorrow morning, that ...... I want to rest early. ”

Lixia suddenly interjected timidly.

In two hours, no, an hour and a half to be exact, she'll still have a job as a killer! Until then, you have to take a break anyway. Otherwise, if you get sleepy during the day, Miss Illya will cry.

"This ......"

Lloyd was a little embarrassed.

In all fairness, Lixia wasn't asking too much.

But Lloyd couldn't say yes.

Born in a police academy, he is deeply aware of the "power of example".

Now everyone is gathered here not only to protect them, but also to facilitate the police to investigate and collect evidence, so they need to stay here until the evidence collection is over. If everyone disperses and goes back to the old city, people who are homeless due to the destruction of their houses go to stay in hotels or even shop on the street, which will bring great trouble to the collection of evidence.

Humans are such strange creatures.

If a group of people are gathered together and given a rule - such as not being able to leave the central plaza or something - they tend to choose to follow. None of them wanted to be the first to break the rules. However, if the first person to break the rules and not receive a punishment appears, then there will be a succession of rulebreakers right away. This is the "power of example".

Lloyd had no doubt that if Lixia was allowed to leave to find the hotel, it would only lead to chaos among the people who remained in the central square for the time being, and everyone would try to leave in defiance of the raiders' lockdown orders.

Lixia saw that he was distressed, and after a little thought, she understood his difficulty, and quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, please don't say it." ”

"No, I'm just going to say I'm sorry."

Lloyd thanked her in his heart for her understanding, and Lixia's image in his heart was even better.

You tilted his head and asked meaninglessly, "Then, Lloyd, we can't go back anyway, how about letting Lixia stay in the Support Section for one night?" ”

"Huh? I don't mind. However, Miss Lixia ......"

Lloyd is a little strange about his attitude towards Lixia, but he is only in a relationship of "ordinary friends", or "mutual love" or "unrequited love". This kind of man who has nothing to do and is courteous, Lloyd has seen a lot when he was in the police academy.

Rexia gave Yuki Tatsumi a strange look, and after taking a closer look at the central square, she finally decided to trust this ally. She nodded and agreed, "I don't mind, it's good to have a place to replenish your strength." ”

"Then, I'll take her back to the support department first, and I'll be here in a moment."

――――――――――――――――

You took Lixia to her room all the way.

Along the way, everyone was immersed in their own grief and didn't pay much attention to the man and woman, after all, the officers of the Special Mission Support Division are also plainclothes, and since these two people can move around freely, they are probably also from the Support Division, right?

Lixia also didn't ask anything very honestly, and after coming to You's room, she sat down on the edge of the bed and asked the first question: "Why did you bring me here?" ”

"Actually, I want to spend the night with you."

"Well, can I be angry? Can you throw a table or something over in a tantrum? ”

"Haha, just kidding. There's a 'job', right? ”

You smiled cheerfully, and could see that he was just teasing Lixia, as if he had gone up and touched his head when he saw a cute cat and dog on the side of the road. By the way, Lixia's performance just now is also very much to his appetite.

As for what "work" is in Youkou, everyone knows it.

"Why do you know?"

"Because, you're in a hurry. After you notice that you can't leave the central plaza 'naturally', you're noticeably anxious. That means you definitely have something to do tonight. ”

Answer confidently.

"I really can't deny it...... Yes, at 2:00 a.m., I have to go out once. ”

Lixia didn't say it too clearly. It is common sense not to trust one person too much, and the specific process of the task cannot be disclosed to others.

"Well, before that, let's get some rest in my bed. Nominally, of course, it's my bed, but Rui has been using it all along. ”

"Well, it's not closed............ Oops, hey, hey! ”

Lixia was taken aback and screamed out loud. You hurriedly rushed to her side and covered her mouth.

"Be quiet, do you want everyone to know you're here!"

"Mmmm......mmmm

"Don't shout, I'll let it go."

Nodding his head.

You let go of her hand, and Lixia didn't continue to shout.

"Are you two actually a couple?!"

This is what I want to know the most.

Although Lixia had not been to Saiaru herself, a country known for hating foreigners, this did not affect her understanding of Saiaru's country.

In Saiaru, slaves are absolutely lowly beings, can be used as labor, can be used as general equivalents, war years are death squads, famine years are reserve food, "masters" and "slaves" fall in love and become lovers or something, it is simply unimaginable.

"I know you've misunderstood, and I'm glad you've misunderstood, but I'd better explain. The one I sleep in is the one you choose. ”

Yu pointed to his hammock, which no matter how you looked at it, it couldn't compare to the soft, warm bed on which Lixia was sitting.

"Also, if possible, please leave the Support Section tomorrow morning."

"Haaa......"

Lixia made a somewhat troubled sound. I didn't expect to stay in a man's room in such a strange situation. If she had a choice, she would rather sleep on the sofa in the living room on the first floor. Lixia doesn't mind sleep conditions.

As if to see her inner monologue, You continued: "As for sleeping on the sofa or something, you better give up." If any of us come in and check it out, we won't find you. In my room, if the door is locked, I can also help you cover. The back door of the Support Section leads to Crossbell's West Street. However, I don't recommend you to stay in a hotel. Registration is cumbersome, and the hotel has a spare key, which would be 'inconvenient' if we had to bother you. ”

You didn't say it too clearly.

Rexia is not stupid, in comparison, Yu-Tatsumi's room is the most suitable resting spot, who knows if the police will check everyone's situation on a whim? And You himself won't make a move on himself - it sounds very reliable, but there is always a subtle sense of loss - and you can rest peacefully for more than an hour. And don't worry about excuses for the next day or something.

Merely......

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

Lixia asked subconsciously. Originally, it was just a little doubt in her heart, but Lixia still couldn't ignore it.

"Because, you remind me of my former self - how about that reason?"

It's still a half-joking statement.

I don't want to tell you. Yu Tatsumi expressed his meaning very clearly.

"No kidding, please...... I'm serious. ”

Lixia had a serious look on her face. The amethyst-like eyes reveal the perseverance that is unique to gem-like minerals.

"Because I like you...... Alright, alright, don't stare at me. If you have to say, 'no reason'. I just want to do that. I want to be 'free,' that's probably what happened. ”

Looking at Lixia's serious face, somehow, it made people want to bully her more and more...... You first made a joke, and then under Lixia's increasingly sharp gaze, she could only surrender and seriously say something incomprehensible.

"Freedom?"

"Ahh It's 'freedom'. You may not understand. Remember who I am? ”

"Killer?"

"No, the one in front of you."

“…… Slave ......"

"Yes. The slaves of Saiaru have very little power to enjoy. Even the 'survival' was given to us by the slave owners, and we value every power very much. For example, the power of 'integrity', such as the power of 'repaying gratitude'. If you meet other slaves and spend some time with them, you will find that every slave must 'do what he says' and 'repay his kindness', because this is the only power we have left as human beings. As a saved slave, I have one more power than them, the right to be 'free'. ”

“…………”

"Well, even so, if it hadn't been for the master and Gin-sama to wake me up, I'm afraid I wouldn't have known what 'freedom' was until now. In short, I will help you, not because I want anything in return, but because it is a sign of my 'freedom'. I'm free to choose whether to help or not. I have no reason to help you, but on the other hand, I have no reason not to help you. ”

"Huh?"

As if hearing something that she cared about, Lixia made a small cute voice.

However, You did not ask questions, but unilaterally ended the conversation.

"Okay, let's not bother you anymore, let's go to bed. I'll probably be out there for the night. The keys are here, remember to give them back to me tomorrow. ”

Lobbying, he casually threw a key over, and Lixia quickly caught it. In the moment when she was slightly distracted, You had already left the room on her own and closed the door.

Lixia looked at the door, then at the key, and finally at the girl curled up like a hamster in the corner of the bed.

In order to act as an alibi in special cases, the door is reversed. Turning off the light, Lixia lay down on the edge of the bed - it was a single bed, but because of Rui's extremely space-saving sleeping position, she was able to lie down flat......

"Really...... After talking to me so much and not making it clear, do you want me to sleep......

Smelling the fragrance of the fragrance, Lixia complained about Yuki Tatsumi and fell into a deep sleep.