What if... Miko never killed Shojo?

[Peelee]

What is your argument here, Peelee?

Two arguments. Argument the first: Miko readily makes seemingly suboptimal choices over significantly easier alternatives for ascetic reasons. Or, if you want to apply that sentence to a very specific example, "no Miko not grabbing a wizard to teleport her is not a plot hole."

The other one is much simpler. Argument the second: You have a very poor grasp on Miko's established character, and your claims are made entirely on this poor grasp.

Wait a minute...do you think Shojo's senility ruse constitutes gaslighting the Sapphire Guard? Or would it need to make them question their own sanity (rather than just his) for that to be the case? I think I'm behind on my connotations, here.

If he interacted with them after dark in anti-magic areas, he probably conducted his business by gaslight, at the very least.