In a corner of the Imperial Capital’s castle.

Frizione was talking with the nobles of her faction inside a private room.

「So……does this mean that Princess Frizione will be serving under Prince Mercurio?」

Frizione nodded at the words of Marquis Lognos, a man in his sixties with a magnificent beard, like a Dwarf.

「Yes, that is the plan.」

Frizione’s blunt words made the nobles sigh.

As an Imperial Princess, Frizione was far too low down the line of succession to aim for the position of Empress.

As such, many of the people who formed her faction did so out of genuine admiration.

Of course, not all of them admired her, but even so, few would object to her decision to serve under Mercurio.

「What……why did this suddenly happen? I was sure we were previously told we would be cooperating with Prince Mercurio’s rebel army to put an end to the civil war. So why is Princess Frizione now serving under Prince Mercurio?」

「If Mercurio and I were to be on the same level after joining them, would it cause confusion in the chain of command? There’s also the possibility that some people will try to earn merit with me. That’s why it’s better to make it clear that I’ll be serving under Mercurio.」

「But-!」

The noble continued to argue.

They had been charmed by Frizione’s kindness, which was why they had joined the First Princess’ faction.

If Frizione became Empress, the Empire would be better off that it is now. That was what they believed and why they had made the choice to join Frizione’s faction.

Serving under Mercurio would mean that Frizione’s chances of becoming Empress would……not disappear, but become extremely low.

「Calm down. Right now, the issue isn’t whether I will become Empress or not, but how we can end this civil war quickly. Don’t you think we should focus on that?」

「That’s true……but……」

The noble understood what Frizione was trying to say. But even so, they still couldn’t really accept Frizione serving under Mercurio.

「Her Highness Frizione has already spoken. Calm down.」

Marquis Lognos, who had spoke to Frizione earlier, called out to the noble.

「……I’m sorry. I lost my cool.」

「It’s fine. This was all so sudden after all. I’ve explained it to the other nobles, but they all had the same reaction.」

Frizione had started to lay the groundwork with the nobles as soon as Rei came to the castle, but it wasn’t going to be easy.

It was a matter of course as they were supposed to be cooperating with the rebel army as equals, according to the original plan.

「If you feel that you cannot come with me because of htis matter, then there is no need to be shy. You can return to your own territory……or you can leave my faction. Considering the unexpected situation in this matter was caused by me, I do not intend to blame you.」

Frizione said that, but everyone, including the noble who had complained earlier, remained silent and didn’t speak up.

Although they might have their own thoughts regarding the matter, they wouldn’t’ abandon their lord.

That was the only thought they all agreed on.

Seeming to understand the feelings of everyone from their eyes, Frizione gave a small smile before continuing.

「……Thank you.」

「No, don’t worry about it. We are here because we all like being with you, Princess Frizione. ……However, it seems that some of us have other thoughts……no, feelings.」

A young noble’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Marquis Lognos glanced at them.

The noble had been attracted to Frizione for quite some time.

Understanding that, Frizione turned a gentle gaze to the man.

She knew how they felt about her. But even knowing that, Frizione could not reciprocate his feelings.

There was the difference in their social status, and there were things she wanted to do and had to do.

(Although Vihera seems to have gotten over it.)

Since Vihera had abandoned her royal status, there was no longer any obstacles to her being with a man who wasn’t even a noble, but just an adventurer.

Well, to be exact, there were still people who admired Vihera for who she was and not because of her status, so there were some obstacles.

(Like Tillyele.)

The figure of the person who almost worshiped her sister came to mind.

That noble with a deep knowledge of the arts was definitely in the rebel army right now.

There had been reports that he had been seen in the first battle, but after hearing that Vihera was with the rebel army, it was basically guaranteed that Tillyele would be there as well.

(I’m jealous, if you can call it that……but it’s also true that I can’t be in the same position.)

That was why Frizione had pretended not to know that the young noble had feelings for her, even though she knew it.

「Anyway, if you want to come with me, please prepare everything, including the soldiers that you will be taking with you. We’ll be leaving the Imperial Capital in a few days, so make sure our actions aren’t discovered by Shurus or Kabajid.」

「But, if everyone tries to leave the castle at the same time, won’t we be found out? I think it would be best to have our soldiers leave the castle little by little and hide in the Imperial Capital, only gathering outside the city on the actual day.」

「That’s true……what do you think, Angela?」

Angela thought for a few seconds after her master turned to look her before nodding.

「As Marquis Lognos said, it would certainly be conspicuous if we all left the castle at once. However, being conspicuous is also a way to make people hesitate to attack us. In particular, with Rei……Crimson, as our escort, neither Prince Shurus nor Prince Kabajid can attack us carelessly.」

「……Crimson, huh?」

He had already been told that Rei would be sent by Mercurio to escort them.

But even so, as a noble of the Bestir Empire, it was also true that he had some reservations regarding Crimson.

It was only natural as many in the First Princess’ faction had lost family, friends, and acquaintances in the Spring War.

That was why he had a lot of thoughts regarding Rei.

「I’ll say this first, that was a war. Moreover, we were the ones who were attacking. With all that said, please don’t harbour and strange grudges against Rei.」

Frizione had an incredibly sad look on her face and the rest of the nobles had indescribable expressions.

They all knew that Frizione had been opposed to the Spring War.

However, everyone else, including Emperor Tragist, had been in favour of it.

All to obtain the sea.

The result had been their great defeat.

It had even resulted in the birth of a hero called Crimson.

It was fair to say that it was the worst thing that could happen to the Bestir Empire in various ways.

And, with the civil war now happening before they had recovered from the war, this could be said to be a terrible year.

「……I understand. At least while I am overseeing them, I will make sure they don’t do anything to Crimson.」

Marquis Lognos nodded at Frizione’s words.

The others nodded as well, accepting it if it was Frizione’s decision.

「Thank you. So, what’s the best thing to do? If the soldiers are scattered around the Imperial Capital, it will be hard to keep track of our movements, but it will also take time to gather……on the other hand, if we all leave the castle together, we will definitely be found out.」

「It’s a difficult question. But in the end, I think it should be decided by Princess Frizione. We are Princess Frizione’s faction after all.」

Angela’s words made Frizione think with a difficult expression.

Frizione was usually seen only smiling, so her current state felt new to the nobles.

Frizione didn’t seem to notice the gazes directed at her as she eventually spoke.

「Hey, Angela, if we were to try to leave the castle as one group, we’d obviously stand out and others would see us, right?」

「That’s right. We’ll definitely be seen, even if it’s not as bad as when the punitive force went out on parade.」

「What do you think would happen if Rei was with us then?」

「……If they see him, then as I said before, I think they’ll hesitate to attack. They probably don’t want to fight inside the Imperial Capital because of the potential damage and, most importantly, they’re all to familiar with the power of Rei’s fire tornado. If they’re not careful, not only will the Imperial Capital be burned down, even the castle might be burned out.」

I see, Frizione nodded, but then realised something about Angela’s words that concerned her as she asked.

「If they see him?」

「Yes. I really shouldn’t say this, but from the outside, Rei looks like nothing more than a rookie mage. His Griffon……Set, was it? If Set was here, then people would probably recognise Rei right away.」

「Oh, I see. ……Then, I guess we need to get the Griffon into the Imperial Capital somehow. It’s definitely outside the Imperial Capital, right?」

「That’s what I’ve heard. And then……oh, speaking of what Rei is known for, there is one more thing. With his scythe, it will be immediately obvious to everyone that Rei is Crimson.」

There were very few people who could use a scythe, a weapon that was normally very difficult to use.

Rei was one of those few people and along with Set, his Death Scythe was one of his defining features.

If someone were to be seen in the Imperial capital carrying a scythe and wearing a robe, they would quickly be able to determine that it was Rei……Crimson.

「I see. If you see someone holding a scythe and wearing a robe, they will be able to tell that he is Crimson. In that case, I agree with Angela.」

Marquis Lognos muttered in agreement as all the other nobles nodded.

「Does that mean that they will not attack as long as Rei is with us? Is that a good idea?」

「Yes. Unless something extraordinary happens……they will probably only attack after we leave the Imperial Capital.」

「In that case, it seems best for us to leave the castle together. ……Let’s discuss that in more detail. Next, we need to inform everyone else of what had been decided on. ……Angela, sorry, but could you send someone from the White Rose Knights?」

「Yes!」

Giving a quick nod at Frizione’s order, Angela immediately told a White Rose Knight waiting outside the room about what needed to be done.

「Also……that’s right. We won’t be taking that many troops, but the journey will still take time. Don’t forget to prepare food and things to set up camp.」

「Your Highness Frizione, even if each of us brings our own supplies, I think it would be better to carry everything together as part of a supply unit. Otherwise there will be various problems when moving and trouble when food needs to be distributed.」

「If everything is gathered is one place, won’t the losses be greater if the supply unit is attacked?」

One of the nobles asked, but Angela disagreed.

「If we prepare separate supply units, it will be harder to protect them all from attacks. We don’t have that many people, so I think we should concentrate our forces where possible.」

「But, I don’t think we can do much if we just focus on defense. If we don’t attack, we’ll just be taking a one-sided beating.」

「We should just focus on defense and leave the attack to Rei. We, the people of the Bestir Empire, are the ones who know his strength best.」

「……It seems like you’ve gotten along well with Crimson.」

The noble spoke with a somewhat sarcastic tone, but Angela replied without any particular concern.

「That’s only natural. Rei is our escort, isn’t he? Honestly, I don’t think it does us any good to make an enemy of our escort and deliberate worsen our relationship.」

「……」

Angela’s words made sense.

If they soured their relationship with the person who was supposed to protect them, it would be disadvantageous to both sides.

No, in Rei’s case, he had the ability to protect himself, so the First Princess’ faction would be the only one to suffer from such a situation.

The rest of the nobles seemed to understand that. There were several nobles who had their own thoughts regarding Rei, but they kept those thoughts to themselves as they discussed ways to leave the Imperial Capital.

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