Having returned to the Imperial Capital after a period of time, there were clearly less people around than when the tournament was ongoing.
The image of the Imperial Capital that Rei had in his mind was what it was like during the tournament, so it was inevitable that it felt somewhat deserted to him.
However, it was still the Imperial Capital of the Bestir Empire. There were far more people up and about in the streets than what would be found in Gilm.
That said……
「There is a lot less people around.」
Widele muttered.
Her voice had been quiet, so only Rei, who was riding behind her, heard it.
Hearing those words, Rei gained an understanding of the general situation.
They were definitely the reason for the decline of people present in the Imperial Capital.
The rebel army was approaching slowly after all.
To be precise, they had set up camp and short distance away from the Obrisin county, where the rebel army had initially formed, and had yet to advance past that.
But, with rumors starting to spread regarding the defeat of the latest punitive force, it wasn’t a surprise that people would be afraid.
Their only consolation was that the rebel army was being led by the Third Prince, Mercurio.
Many people believed that as a prince of the empire, he wouldn’t cause any damage to the Imperial Capital.
Their thoughts were naturally correct.
Even for Mercurio, he only needed to defeat Shurus and Kabajid. He had no intention of doing anything to the Imperial Capital itself.
It was impossible for someone who wanted to become the emperor to willingly antagonise the people of their country.
(Although, once the Imperial Capital becomes a battlefield, there’s nothing you can do.)
Rei muttered to himself as he turned his gaze towards the castle.
While not as big as the Imperial Capital itself, the castle was still an impressive sight and could be seen as soon as they walked past the gates.
Seeing Rei look towards the castle, Widele spoke as she directed her horse forward.
「Rei-sama, is it okay if we head straight for the castle?」
「Hm? Yes, that’s fine……but is it okay for me to go with you so openly? They’ll at least check my identity before entering the castle. I was only able to get into the Imperial Capital based on the prestige of the White Rose Knights. If my true identity is revealed, won’t that put you into a bad position? I can get in myself.」
No matter how many soldiers were present, he didn’t think they could stop him.
The same went for any knights.
If anything happened, he had a reliable fallback. He would start with fire magic and then go on a rampage with the Death Scythe in hand.
Though admittedly, Rei really didn’t want to go on a rampage inside the Imperial Capital.
Most people who lived here, with the exception of a very small number, didn’t have any ulterior motives and Rei didn’t like causing unnecessary damage to people who weren’t his enemies.
In addition, Rei’s trump card, the fire tornado, couldn’t be used without Set.
He also wanted to avoid any potential hostility being directed towards Mercurio and Vihera.
However, Widele responded to Rei’s question with a confident smile.
「Leave that to me. Despite how we look, the White Rose Knights are still under Princess Frizione’s direct control. As long as we don’t do anything too suspicious, we won’t be cautioned. Even if it’s a stubborn noble, I don’t think they would want to be glared at by Princess Frizione. And besides, the place I’m taking you to, while inside the castle, is not an important area.」
「……Is that so.」
Even if Rei was a reinforcement sent by Mercurio……no, precisely because that was what he was, there was no reason to suddenly let him into important areas.
Convinced by Widele’s words, Rei expression seemed to ask ‘then where do you plan to take me?’.
「Even though it’s a castle, there are places where few people go. Don’t you think those places would make perfect hideouts?」
「I see. It’s true that with a castle this big, there are probably many places were people don’t go. That makes sense.」
「That’s right. Since that’s decided, let’s get going.」
Turning her attention to her subordinates, their group continued through the Imperial Capital towards the castle.
(There are definitely fewer stalls than when the fighting tournament was being held.)
Rei muttered to himself as he looked at the streets from up on the horse.
The fighting tournament had attracted tourists from all over the Bestir Empire, even neighbouring countries, which was why so many merchants had set up stalls in the streets to make money.
Obviously, with all the tourists gone, the merchants had also left for better business opportunities.
While only natural, Rei’s impression of the streets during the fighting tournament were that they were packed to the point where walking through the crowds was difficult.
Given the current circumstances, he was worried that the lack of food stalls would make it harder for him to stock up on food.
As he looked around with a sigh, Widele turned to look back at him.
She had a wry smile on her face as she spoke apologetically.
「Rei-sama, please don’t move around too much on the horse. The horse seems a little restless.」
「Huh? Oh, sorry.」
Apologising to Widele, Rei checked the state of the city with just his eyes instead of moving his body.
The horse was still nervous around Rei mostly because Set’s scent was still strong on him.
Horses had a very strong sense of smell, even if not as good as dogs, and could identify their companions by scent alone.
With such a strong sense of smell, it was only natural that it knew it was Rei riding on his back……and that it could also sense the scent of Set, who was on a completely different level, which had permeated through Rei.
That was why the horses the White Rose Knights were riding on were somewhat scared of Rei and, naturally, Widele’s horse was no exception.
What’s more, when the cause of their tension, Rei, moved around, it only made them more restless.
Of course, Rei had no way of knowing what the horses were thinking as he observed the situation around him.
Fortunately for the horses, Widele’s words did stop Rei from shifting around.
Their group continued on their way towards the castle.
Soon, the chaotic streets gave way to neatly organised roads.
They were getting close to the castle.
(Wow……so this is what it’s like.)
Rei had been to the castle once before with Daska, but they had traveled by carriage.
This time, he was traveling on horseback, so he could get a good look of his surroundings.
They even passed several carriages along the way.
「……Tch-!」
As he looked around, he suddenly heard someone click their tongue.
Rei was surprised to find it was Widele.
Widele was generally a polite person, so he didn’t think she could react like that.
However, the reason soon became clear.
Several knights blocked their path.
「Dune……」
Rei tilted his head when he heard that name.
It was a name he had heard before.
Where was it……Rei wondered as he popped his head out from behind Widele, before immediately remembering.
It was the man who had been extorting tolls from travelers on his way with Daska’s group to the Imperial Capital.
The last time they had run into each other, a man who called himself the vice commander of the Unicorn Knights had settled the situation……
(I never thought I’d meet him in a place like this. It’s quite different from what the prime minister said……is it because of the civil war?)
Rei frowned slightly, but the place where he had previously run into Dune hadn’t been far from the Imperial Capital.
Considering that, it wasn’t that unusual to run into him inside the Imperial Capital.
However……there was a bigger problem right now.
Namely, Dune had met Rei face to face before.
Of course, many things had changed since then. Set, the main reason Rei was recognised, was not with him. His Dragon Robe also served lower his presence and the hood hid his face.
In other words, Rei looked like any other novice mage right now.
Still, the fact that they had met in person before was enough to give Rei a bad feeling.
His attempt to hide behind Widele seemed to attract Dune’s attention. Dune was also riding on a horse, making it easier to spot him.
Dune turned and stared at Rei.
「……Widele-dono, who is that mage? It’s hard to tell if they are male or female with the robe……but considering they’re with the White Rose Knights, I guess she’s female?」
「Well, I don’t think I need to tell you that. What are you trying to do, standing in our way? Is it something about me being just a commanding officer? Also, please stop using such pretentious language.」
Dune’s expression twisted in displeasure when he heard the words ‘just a commanding officer’.
Widele thought that it would be better to take the brunt of the attention since she hated Dune and Dune hated her, rather than drawing attention to Rei. However, this seemed to irritate Dune more than she expected.
「Hah, you’re just a commanding officer like me, but you act all high and might.」
Dune glared at Widele as he spoke rudely, a complete change from the polite but arrogant language he had used just a few seconds ago.
(Come to think of it, he talked like this back then as well.)
As Rei recalled their previous exchanges, Widele and Dune continued their spat.
「A commanding officer like you? I’m a commander in the White Rose Knights under Princess Frizione, you’re just the commander of a bunch of miscreants. I don’t want to be called the same thing as you.」
Widele’s gaze and words were filled with disgust as Rei nodded inwardly.
In truth, from what Rei had seen of Dune, there was no denying that.
(They said he was under the protection of the Second Prince or something……but why would Shurus keep this guy around? The first punitive force had been intended to eliminate incompetents, but this guy wasn’t there, is there some reason he’s important, personality and abilities aside?)
Rei was confused but he couldn’t exactly ask the man why he wasn’t part of the doomed first punitive force, so he turned his attention to the rest of the White Rose Knights, who were listening in from teh side.)
Their expressions were as disgusted as Widele’s.
Some of them were even reaching for their weapons, ready to fight at a moment’s notice.
The same went for Dune’s subordinates.
Their expressions were mocking and provocative, but they were still ready to fight.
The situation was tense, on the brink of all out war, and anyone could see just how much they hated each other.
In fact, it was easy for Rei to imagine there was some existing animosity between the two groups.
「……So, Dune, why have you gone out of your way to block our path? Or is this an order from Prince Shurus?」
「Not at all. I just wanted to say hello to a familiar face that I hadn’t seen in a while. Where have you been?」
「Why would I have to tell you that? If you’re going to say such nonsense while asleep then just do your job. Don’t cause trouble to others.」
「Hah, I can’t believe you would say that to me.」
Those mocking words came out of Dune’s mouth and the atmosphere around them grew even more tense as they glared at each other……
「What are you doing!」
The tension was reaching the limit, with either side just about to draw their weapons.
At that point in time, a voice shouted out from someone wearing luxurious metal armour. It was clear that they weren’t some ordinary gatekeeper or soldier.
「A Royal Knight? Of all people……」
Rei heard the murmurs from the White Rose Knights behind Widele.
(A Royal Knight? I see, they certainly look the part.)
Rei seemed convinced as he saw the approaching knight.
It was the first time he had seen a Royal Knight.
He hadn’t seen one the last time he had come to the castle or even at the fighting tournament.
The Royal Knights were knights who protected the royal family……or more accurately, the Emperor. But, for better or worse, when Rei had seen Emperor Tragist, there hadn’t been any Royal Knights around.
As a result, this was Rei’s first encounter with a Royal Knight……
「This isn’t good.」
Rei heard Widele whisper softly to him.