Going back to before Inglis began to engage the Black Mask. At the time the Royal Palace was swarmed with Magic Stone Beasts due to the Ironblood Chain Brigades handiwork

O-, oi! Theres a commotion over at the castle! Its on fire!

W-what!? Y-, youre right!

The Knights of the Imperial Guard Order, who were in the Academy for Ripples transfer, noticed the disaster that befell the Royal Palace and began to kick up a fuss.

Silva, who was working with them, urged them on.

He was helping the preparation of Ripples transfer to the Imperial Guard Orders base in the castle later tonight.

I dont know what happened, but it cant be good! Isnt it better to go back and check on it right now!? Ill continue with the handover process!

Silva was the younger brother of their Commander Redas. His words couldnt be taken lightly, and he did make a point too.

Youre right. Roger that, Mister Silva!

Sure! We cant possibly bring Lady Ripple with us if we cant make sure shell be safe!

Well take our leave! Please take care of the rest!

The Knights hopped onto their Flygears and took off for the Royal Palace. Looking at their shrinking backs, Silva was attacked by pangs of guilt.

He knew what was happening, and yet he deliberately kept himself silent and effectively deceived them. The same with how he didnt let them take Ripple to the Royal Castle until today, delaying the handover process to a great length.

He was sorry. He really was, but there was nothing else he could do, as this was to save Ripple.

Okay! I need to hurry!

Silva soon met up with Principal Miliera, Ripple, and the other students who served the Hyrule Menace escorting duty.

They were already gathering in a large classroom in the schools building.

This was the room where Principal Miliera had first gathered the selected students from each year and explained the escorting duty to them. All of the forces had gathered there, with the exception of Inglis and Rafinha who had gone to guard the Royal Palace.

Leone and Liselotte were there too, they were sitting down with anxiety painted on their face. Near to them was Yua who was resting her chin on her hand, her head bobbing as if she would fall asleep anytime now.

Sorry for the wait! Principal, Lady Ripple! Lets start as soon as possible, we dont have time!

When Silva called out to her, Principal Miliera nodded with a serious look.

Yes, Mister Silva. Everyone, I dont know what will happen in this battle. However, let me say this beforehand; Your participation is voluntary. Please dont push yourself too hard.

Principal Miliera appealed to the students, but no one left their seats or so it seemed at first, aside from one person.

Ah. Then Im going back to sleep.

Spoke Yua with her eyes half-asleep, trying to leave.

WHA!? Wait! Please wait, Miss Yua! We will be troubled without you!

This operation was taken from Inglis proposal, where they would annihilate all the Magic Stone Beasts that Ripple would summon, effectively nullifying the mechanism that was activated as a sanction from the Highland.

Miliera and Silva who bore Special Grade Runes would need to supply a large amount of mana to Ripple in order to intentionally trigger the summoning. And so, it would be best to assume that they couldnt help much in defeating the summoned Magic Stone Beasts.

In addition, to keep a low profile, they would conduct their operation in the subspace created by Gifts, which meant that Leone and other similar Gift users were mainly in charge of maintaining the subspace rather than directly joining the fight.

Thus, while it appeared that this group had the same amount of Special Grade Rune bearers as the Holy Knight Order, as well as a huge number of High Grade Rune owners, their military strength was by no means sufficient.

In such a situation, the participation of Yua, who was even stronger than Silva, who himself was a future Holy Knight candidate with a Special Grade Rune, was critically essential. They had no other choice but to have Yua be the center of the operation.

Eh? Principal, didnt you say our participation is voluntary?

I did say that, but that wasnt what I said in my heart, or like its more like a promise, yes, a promise!

Promise?

While I did say that participation is voluntary, nobody goes back down, and in the end, Ill say Thank you everyone and we all move into tears! Like, that kind of thing! Doesnt that make your spirit burn!? Okay? Okay?

I dont understand?

She craned her neck, completely poker-faced. Not a single soul knew what in the world was going on in that head of hers.

Regardless of what the Principal said, as far as youre concerned, your participation is mandatory. We need your strength. Please, help us.

Saying such, Silva bowed to Yua upfront. In his perspective, Silva would argue that the full extent of his strength could only manifest when he joined hands with a weaponized Hyrule Menace, a weapon only Special Grade Rune bearers like him could handle. However, it didnt change the fact that Yua was a necessity in this situation.

It was nothing to bow his head down and ask for help. It was for none other than Ripple

Ever since the day she saved his life when he was a child, he had been training hard to fight alongside her as a Holy Knight, and here he was. He didnt want her to disappear before he could realize his goal in life.

Yua, on the other hand, seemed to be surprised by Silvas behavior.

Four-eyes Youve got a fever?

I dont! Im sober!

Ah, you are. Look how fast you snap.

Yeah, seeing the person Im dealing with, the person!

W-, well well, lets dial it down.

It wasnt Miliera, but Ripple, who interceded.

Yua, let me ask you on my behalf too. Please, we need your strength for this operation.

Saying that, she also bowed her head alongside Silva.