"Bishop, what about my assignment?"
Wendy leaned forward, a hint of earnest anticipation in her eyes.
Since she had asked Lady Ellie to accept this dangerous assignment, she believed she ought to undertake something equally important herself. Otherwise, it would be far too unfair.
She was not someone who merely talked and sent others into danger.
"Uh, your assignment..."
Greg's voice faltered noticeably.
He had actually given no thought whatsoever to what Wendy should do afterward.
As he saw it, Wendy was about his age but had never attended a magic academy, which meant she was probably a noncombatant.
In his original plan, Wendy's assignment had been to bring Ellie safely to the Imperial Capital. After that, she could bow out with her work done.
But looking into her earnest eyes now, Greg felt that simply saying, "There's nothing left for you to do," would be a little hard to justify.
He considered it for a moment, then slowly said, "Then... stay in the Imperial Capital and do whatever you can."
"Whatever I can do in the Imperial Capital..."
Wendy repeated Greg's words softly, her eyes flickering slightly as though she were pondering their meaning.
A moment later, she nodded firmly, as if she had made up her mind about something.
"Yes, I understand!"
Watching her brimming with enthusiasm, Greg felt a faint unease. She hasn't 'understood' the same way Vivian did, has she?
But this was his Grand Steward, after all. Surely she would not do something like that, so he asked no further questions.
Just as Greg finished handing out assignments, a tremendous noise suddenly erupted outside the window.
Boom!
The explosion came from the street, accompanied by the crash of shattering glass and the terrified screams of the crowd.
The candle flames in the private room swayed