Odin

The gallery fell silent again for a long while. The person in the painting quietly stared at those in the room.

"I don't quite understand," Vilgefortz said with a frown, exchanging a glance with Lydia van Bredevoort. "You mean you'll stay behind to make a commotion and draw the attention of Ban Ard's Sorcerers and guards, while we leave with Henn Gedimidis?"

Ailin nodded.

"Why?" Vilgefortz asked in confusion.

"Though I don't want to admit it, Lydia really is the most suitable person to stay behind."

"If she stays to cause a disturbance and draw the guards' and Sorcerers' attention, she will naturally be in danger."

"But as long as she is careful and does not maim or kill any guards—"

"Even if she is caught in the end, Senne and Otolan will not do anything to her. At most, they'll lock her up for a few days."

"Once Henn Gedimidis wakes up, recovers, and takes control of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers and Ban Ard again, we can get her back by paying some ransom."

"On the other hand, since I have completely offended Senne, he is quite likely to kill me to vent his anger."

"As for you..."

Vilgefortz paused and gently shook his head.

"Ailin, you are a witcher—and a witcher of the School of the Wolf, the school Senne hates most."

"When it comes to killing you, not a single person in Ban Ard will hesitate in the slightest."

"And if Otolan is taken into account..."

"Ailin, you'll be better off dead!"

Lydia van Bredevoort's usual mask-like smile, perhaps because of Ailin's proposal, now carried a trace of sincerity and emotion.

"Ailin," she softly urged, "Vilge is right. No matter how you look at it, I am the most suitable person."

"Tissaia de Vries protects every Sorceress.