Going back a short while in time, as the match between Rei and Noiz was taking place. A few people were walking through the Imperial Capital.

It was Vihera, the Second Princess of the Bestir Empire, Tilleyle, her infatuated admirer, and about 10 other knights.

Such a group leisurely moved their way through the Imperial Capital.

Because most of the residents, including tourists, had gone to the stadium, there were very few people in the streets.

They proceeded along their way through what could be described as a deserted city.

Of course, just because it was quiet didn’t mean that there was absolutely no one around. In fact, there were those who thought that stadium would be too crowded to watch and hadn’t gone. When they saw Vihera, they were initially struck by her beauty and dancer like clothes. However, regardless of gender, they couldn’t help but gulp as they tried to recall the familiar face, tracing their memory, before gasping in realisation.

「Princess Vihera, Her Highness?」

Someone murmured out loud and the people around them immediately realised that the person before them was actually the Second Princess of the Bestir Empire.

As the buzz started to spread, the only reasons why the people didn’t rush up to her side was because she was a member of the royal family, despite the fact that Vihera believed she had given it up, and……the atmosphere that Tilleyle and the knights were giving off.

They weren’t murderous, but they still gave off an aura that told people to not approach carelessly.

If any of the people here had been adventurers, soldiers, or knights, who made a living through fighting, they would have understood. They were giving off an aura of fighting spirit as they readied for battle.

That said, as far as Vihera was concerned, she was just hoping to fight a strong opponent.

Of course, she understood that the goal was to rescue her younger brother, who was under house arrest and in danger of being assassinated. However, her want for combat was still the primary force driving her fighting spirit.

Another big reason why her fighting spirit was higher than normal was because Rei was currently fighting the S rank adventurer, Noiz, in the stadium……or maybe the fight had already been decided.

「Tilleyle, there’s no issues on Theorem’s side, right?」

When she asked Tilleyle, who was walking behind her, a quiet voice replied.

「Yes. They are going to enter the castle after we are discovered. At the same time, those we arranged inside will start a commotion.」

「A double diversion, is it? It’s Theorem’s plan, but isn’t he worrying a bit too much? Since Rei and Noiz are fighting in the finals in the stadium, there’s no doubt that will be where all the nobles and others will have gathered.」

To Vihera, she enjoyed facing down a strong enemy standing before her, but at the same time, they needed time to rescue her younger brother. Her words were spoken based on those thoughts.

However, Tilleyle shook his head at Vihera’s words.

「It’s true that the castle’s defenses will definitely be lower compared to normal. However, if we take careless action, His Highness Mecurio may be harmed. So, if possible, we should cause layered diversions. It would be best soldiers led by Theorem to rescue His Highness Mercurio.」

Saying that much, Tilleyle paused……before continuing to speak.

「Ignoring Vihera-sama and my actions, if Theorem, the lead of the Third Prince’s faction starts to move, they’ll find out our goal soon enough.」

「Hmmm. Well, for me, as long as that kid can be saved, it’s fine.」

Muttering out loud, Vihera suddenly changed the subject.

「Come to think of it, the kid of Axe of the Thunder God……was his name Rhodes? What happened to him infiltrating brother Kabajid’s faction?」

「Theorem’s proposed double diversion has something to do with that. For some reason, it seems like they were half expecting us to take action. Well, we are taking action this quickly after all. I don’t think they are expecting it to happen during the finals of the fighting tournament though……」

Even as he replied to Vihera, Tilleyle felt pity for Rhodes, who was only remembered as Elk’s son.

As he hadn’t even been recognised as a man on his own, Tilleyle predicted that that there would be no chance of his love ever coming to fruition.

Tilleyle, who was infatuated with Vihera himself, had seen many people like Rhodes before.

Many of them were captivated by Vihera’s beauty, but they all disappeared without fulfilling their dreams. But, what was definitely different now, was the Vihera was in love with Rei.

(Speaking of third wheels……how pathetic. It’s only natural to be attracted to Vihera-sama. ……Rei, huh. I want to meet him in person as soon as possible and see him with my own eyes. If he’s not suitable for Vihera-sama……)

Vihera continued speaking without noticing Tilleyle’s involuntary murmurs.

「I don’t know how he came to join brother Kabajid’s faction, but he surprisingly managed it. I guess he does have the blood of the Axe of the Thunder God running through him.」

Vihera spoke with admiration, but if she had known that the only reason why Rhodes had joined the First Prince’s faction was out of rivalry with Rei, she probably wouldn’t have praised him as much.

「……That’s right. I’ve heard that they have strict requirements over there, they wouldn’t normally have let anyone sneak in like that. If you think about it that way, I guess you could say it was a blessing in disguise.」

In fact, Theorem had told Tilleyle several times before that they had tried to sneak people into the First Prince’s faction. However, they had since lost contact with all of them and guessed that they were probably dead.

That was why their eyes widened in surprise when they heard that Rhodes had sneaked himself into the First Prince’s faction.

「That’s why the information we have received has been so helpful.」

「I guess so.」

They didn’t know what method they had used, but the First Prince’s faction had made some preparations, as if knowing they were going to make a move. And, although the attacks had already passed, they had also received information that Requiem’s Toll was targeting Rei.

Being informed of both pieces of information surprised them in various ways.

In particular, the fierce expression on Vihera’s face when she heard that Rei was being targeted, although the attack had already passed when the report arrived, left a strong impression on Tilleyle.

(However, since Rhodes only infiltrated the First Prince’s faction at the last minute before our rescue operation is being carried out, we should assume that they weren’t given any really important information. ……If possible, it would have been good for him to infiltrate earlier. That said……since he’s from the Mireana Kingdom, I don’t think he would have been given any important information anyway.)

As Tilleyle thought to himself, their group continued down the main street.

Although there weren’t that many people around due to the fighting tournament finals, standing out as much as they did would still draw the attention of the remaining residents.

Moving forward as they received such stares, they naturally saw more and more guards as they got closer to the castle.

And, as the number of guards increased, some naturally noticed Vihera and Tilleyle, who was following Vihera.

Tilleyle might have been less conspicuous due to Vihera’s presence, but a guard wouldn’t be fooled by it.

「Oh, hey. Is that……Her Highness Vihera?」

「Yeah. I heard she ran away from the Bestir Empire, but……why is she in the Imperial Capital? It’s not someone who looks exactly like her, right?」

「……It’s true that with such a flashy, or rather, revealing outfit, that is a possibility……」

「What an idiot. Is there anyone who would look that similar?」

「The fighting tournament is happening now, right? Is it something related to that……?」

「It couldn’t be……but look behind Her Highness Vihera. That’s Tilleyle-sama.」

「……Was he infautated with Her Highness Vihera?」

「Yeah. But why has he come all this way to the Imperial Capital at this time?」

「Maybe we should ask them just in case? It’s unlikely, but what if they turn out to be fakes……」

「Yes, that’s right. I don’t want to get into too much trouble and get scolded later.」

The three guards consulted with each other and, eventually, they called out, not to Vihera……but to Tilleyle.

It must have been hard for them to call out to someone who could be the Second Princess.

「Excuse me, Tilleyle-sama……is that right?」

「Yes. You are correct.」

Tilleyle answered without any nervousness, but he didn’t stop walking.

It was only natural as Vihera, who was leading the way, didn’t stop either.

Even if he did stop, it was easy to guess that Vihera would probably just keep going without caring.

Above all, the fact that they were here……especially Vihera, who was supposed to have run away from the empire, would cause a big shock the sooner the people around them found out.

The guard didn’t realise this, but they continued to call out to Tilleyle, who kept moving further and further away from them, leaving them behind.

「So, uh, the person walking in front of Tilleyle-sama……」

「I’m sorry, but I can’t say.」

『……』

The guard were at a loss at Tilleyle’s quick reply.

However, since it was someone with overwhelming higher status and ability than them, they couldn’t say much in response.

「Right now, almost none of the higher ups are in the castle right now, if possible, it would be best to try again after the tournament ends……」

As soon as the guards said that, they froze as a sudden chill came over them.

They didn’t know what was going on, but they realised why as they silently watched Tilleyle moved past them.

The knights walking behind Tilleyle. Those knights looked at the guards with sharp eyes……almost with murderous intent.

Don’t bother them any further.

Knights and guards. The former were in charge of battles while the latter protected the public order.

Guards did have combat experience. It was only natural as people who protected the peace and security of the Imperial Capital.

However, for knights, whose job it was to fight……especially the knights under Tilleyle, who were famous elites, the number of chaotic environments they had been through was at a completely different level.

In the end, the guards just watched the knights pass them by and, when they were no longer visible, they breathed a sigh of relief.

「Haah……that was scary. As expected of knights.」

「Y-Yeah. I……never expected them to be so amazing.」

「Indeed. To be honest, I thought I was going to be killed just looking at them. Instead of dealing with something like that, we’re better off dealing with the idiots taking advantage of the fighting tournament to make a fuss.」

「I see. In the first place, if they really are knights under the direct command of Tilleyle-sama, it’s clear that they’re not something we can do anything with.」

「What should we do? Should we report it to the higher ups?」

「Oh……that’s right. Maybe we should report it just in case?」

「Let’s do that. It’s hard just moving around under this heat.」

「I see. Criminals wouldn’t move about that much in this heat either.」

After saying that, the three guards left the area and headed to their guard station under the pretext of reporting to their superiors.

 

 

Vihera’s group headed straight for the castle, completely unaware that the guards they had left behind were having such a conversation.

Other guards and knights started to appear, but Vihera ignored them all as she led Tilleyle and the knights forward.

Then, a huge gate finally came into view.

Of course, it was open during the day, but a knight stood guard in front of it, holding halberds.

Even though it was already autumn, it was a pretty tough job wearing full plate mail under the midsummer like heat.

Normally, gate keeping wasn’t a job a knight would do. However, this was the Imperial Capital, the capital of the Bestir Empire. And in front of them was the castle where the Emperor of the Bestir Empire lived.

That being the case, the gate couldn’t be left to ordinary soldiers.

Even if the knight guarding the gate realised who was approaching, they didn’t seem particularly alarmed as they waited.

Then, when Vihera arrived in front of the gate, they spoke without any particular surprise regarding her revealing outfit.

「Your Highness Vihera, welcome home.」

「Yes. Thank you for your hard work as well. I’m sorry, but I have something to do inside, so you’ll let me in, right?」

That was what Vihera said as she tried to enter.

The knight let her pass without saying a word.

It was a matter of fact. The castle was Vihera’s home.

Although Vihera had abandoned her royal status, her father, the emperor, hadn’t approved of it. On the contrary, due to Vihera’s personality and abilities, he was happy to leave her as a member of the royal family.

Because of that, it was no problem for Vihera to enter the castle.

However……

「Viscount Bougle, I’m sorry, but please stop there.」

「……What?」

As Vihera passed through the gate, Tilleyle and his knights were about to follow when the knight guarding the gate stopped them.

「Viscount Bugle, you are currently suspected of sedition. I would like you to accompany me so that I may inquire about the circumstances.」

With those words, about 30 knights appeared from within the castle, pointing the tips of their weapons, such as halberds, spears, and long swords, at Tilleyle.

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