The day after his first meeting with Kyuste at the Lord's Mansion, Rei headed toward the Main Gate just before the 9 o'clock bell rang, exactly as promised.
Seto was with him, of course.
As they walked down the Main Street, city residents and adventurers alike flocked to them as usual. However, since his objective today was to receive the Duke's Daughter, Rei didn't linger to chat. He kept his greetings brief and continued steadily toward the gate.
"Oh, Rei. Are you involved with that group over there too?" Ranga asked.
Rei handed over his Guild Card and Tamed Monster's Necklace at the Main Gate as he always did. Following Ranga’s gaze, he saw Daskar, Margrave Larkus, standing with Kyuste, the Escort Unit Captain. They weren't alone; a dozen or so attendants and guards surrounded them. Daskar was dressed in fine attire befitting his rank, and Kyuste wore armor that, while not as grand as the set from the day before, was still unmistakably a high-quality piece.
Kyuste had clearly replaced the armor Rei had destroyed with the Death Scythe in a hurry. Still, one has to respect the wealth needed to source magic armor that quickly, Rei thought. Even if it lacked the visual flair of the previous set, Rei's eyes were drawn to it, marking it as a Magic Item.
"And?" Ranga asked, handing back the Guild Card.
Rei gave a small nod. "You're not far off."
"I figured. Though, that Kyuste fellow seems to have an enormous ego. I'd suggest you avoid saying anything careless around him."
Judging by the warning, Kyuste had likely already caused a scene at the gate this morning. For Rei, however, the advice came a day late—he had literally beaten the man into the floor the previous afternoon.
"A bit late for that," Rei said.
"Oh? What happened?"
"A few things yesterday. I'll see you later."
Taking his card, Rei stepped through the gate with Seto and walked toward Daskar and Kyuste.
As they drew near, the guards around the Margrave reflexively leveled their swords and spears at the sight of the Gryphon. Kyuste followed suit, quickly leveling his Magic Spear.
"Stop that at once!" Daskar barked. He turned to Rei with a wry smile. "My apologies, Rei. These men are also responsible for my protection."
"No, I should be the one apologizing for approaching without announcing myself first."
"Guru?" Seto tilted its head, curious about the commotion. Rei shook his head and gave the Gryphon a reassuring pat. Seto let out a pleased chirp from the back of its throat.
"Hmm. He's quite attached to you. Just as the reports said," Daskar murmured, sounding impressed. He glanced at the man beside him.
Standing there was a middle-aged man with a physique of hardened muscle and a look of fierce determination. This was Trenma, the Vice-commander of the Knight Order of the City of Gilm. Understanding his master's signal, Trenma addressed Rei.
"Lord Rei... you see, I have something of an interest in monsters. If you wouldn't mind, may I touch your Gryphon? Seto, was it?"
I see. He wants to confirm whether Seto is truly under my control, Rei realized. Normally, Daskar would have checked for himself, but his status made such a thing difficult, so he was delegating the task to a trusted subordinate. Rei gave Trenma a nod.
"Go ahead. He won't mind a simple pat—so long as it remains simple. Just remember that a Gryphon dislikes the same things a human would."
Daskar caught the hidden meaning in Rei's words—that he had seen through their little test—and signaled Trenma again. Following Rei’s instructions, Trenma reached out and quietly stroked Seto’s back.
"Hmph. So this is the Gryphon you're so proud of? I suppose he's a fine enough beast," Kyuste interjected as Trenma stepped away. Though his words were technically praise, his eyes still held a condescending glint.
"Gurururuu."
Seto growled irritably, clearly sensing the man's hostility.
"I'm afraid Seto doesn't share the sentiment," Rei said.
"You... 'You'? Do you have any idea who you are talking to, Commoner—"
"That is enough, Kyuste," Daskar interrupted. "You too, Rei. Starting tomorrow, the two of you are forming a temporary party to challenge a Dungeon. What good will it do to start feuding now?"
Kyuste had reflexively reached for his Magic Spear at Rei's bluntness, but at the Margrave’s command, he reluctantly backed down. Rei, meanwhile, placed a hand on Seto's back to calm the Gryphon, who looked ready to pounce.
"Gururuu." Seto let out a disgruntled noise but yielded to Rei's touch, though it kept its sharp gaze fixed on Kyuste.
Faced with the Gryphon's glare, Kyuste froze for a split second. Once he realized he had faltered, he clicked his tongue internally. Did I just feel fear toward a mere tamed beast? How infuriating—even for an A-Rank Monster. And that Rei fellow has no sense of proper etiquette toward a Noble... To think I have to allow such lowly people near Lady Elena. They are truly a disagreeable lot.
Watching Kyuste, Rei's thoughts took a similar turn. First Goblin Drool, then the Stars of the Night, then Arrogan... I seem destined to attract this type of person. Well, at least Arrogan turned out somewhat decent in the end.
"Guru?" Seto rubbed its head against him. Rei stroked its feathers to soothe it. Ordinarily, he would have pulled some dried meat from the Misty Ring, but he couldn't very well do that while standing beside the Lord of the city waiting for the Princess General. He settled for petting the creature instead.
Daskar discussed business with his subordinates for the next thirty minutes, while Kyuste stared down the Highway as if in prayer. Eventually, a carriage drawn by two Warhorses appeared in the distance.
At the sight, Kyuste’s arrogance vanished, replaced by a look of pure joy. Daskar let out a long sigh of relief. As the man in charge of the Frontier, any incident involving Elena would have fallen on his head. If the icon of the opposing faction were injured or killed by bandits or monsters on his watch, the political fallout would have been catastrophic for him and his men.
Though, if her reputation as the Princess General is accurate, she could probably handle anything that wanders onto the Highway, Daskar thought. Her name was famous across neighboring nations for a reason.
As the carriage drew close enough for Rei to see the finer details, he breathed a word of admiration. "Wow. That's one hell of a carriage."
Kyuste's brow twitched. For a brief second, he looked at Rei with genuine surprise, though his gaze quickly reverted to its usual disdain.
"Ho? You noticed? Impressive," Daskar said. He had been a warrior himself before becoming a Lord, and he could sense the immense Magic Power woven into the vehicle. Rei had noticed it for the same reason—the sensation of his vision being drawn to a powerful Magic Item.
"Lord? What do you mean?" one of the civil officials asked. Being unversed in Magic Items, they didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
"You lot might not see it, but that carriage itself is a powerful Magic Item," Daskar explained.
"Is it? I know a bit of Magic, but it doesn't look like much to me."
"That's because it's enchanted with a concealment effect. Isn't that right, Rei?" Daskar added, hinting at the boy's own Dragon Robe.
So he did notice. I should have expected as much, Rei thought, surprised that the concealment of the robe—crafted by the legendary Estha Nor—could be seen through.
Kyuste glanced at Rei again, but the carriage was pulling up before them, leaving no time for words. It came to a halt, and a man leaped nimbly from the driver's seat. He had a light, easygoing air about him. He waved casually to Kyuste before knocking on the carriage door.
That's quite a move... he has the same nimble grace as the Thief Culotte, Rei observed. Is he the scout for her entourage?
"Lady Elena, we have arrived in Gilm."
"Umu. Well done."
A voice answered from within, and the door opened. As the figure stepped out, a wave of shock rippled through the onlookers and Daskar’s staff.
She had golden hair that looked as though light itself had been spun into strands, and a face of such staggering beauty that most present felt they were looking at a living doll. Yet her sharp, strong-willed eyes proved she was no ornament. Her figure, though encased in armor, was unmistakably curvaceous. She was also quite tall for a woman—nearly the same height as the men standing around the carriage.
The crowd was captivated—first by her beauty, then by her figure, and finally by her imposing height.
Elena was used to the attention. She scanned her surroundings with cool indifference, but her eyes stopped when she noticed one person. Unlike the others, this boy wasn't staring at her face or her body. He was methodically scanning her equipment: her Whip-sword, her armor, her cloak, and her shoes.
How interesting, she thought. She noticed the boy—Rei—was wearing the same Sleipnir's Shoes as her. Moreover, he was wrapped in a robe that was clearly a high-level Magic Item. But most of all...
Is he even human? This Magic Power... it feels as though magic itself has taken human form.
She was struck with wonder. It was a sentiment nearly identical to what the Elf Filma had once felt.
As Rei shifted his gaze from her gear to her face, Elena did the same, looking up from his equipment to meet his eyes.
It was a complete coincidence—a simple crossing of paths.
But the moment their eyes met, Rei’s expression flickered with surprise, and Elena almost reflexively caught her breath.
To the crowd, it was a pause of mere seconds. To the two of them, it felt like an hour, or perhaps a single, timeless heartbeat. In that silence, they both felt something undeniable.