In Rei’s room at the Golden Wind Inn, Rei tilted his head and spoke, processing the words that had just come from Theoreme—the man known by the alias of Flash. He had just proposed the rescue of the Third Prince, Mercurio.
"Rescue? So the goal is to break him out of wherever he’s being held captive?"
Theoreme met Rei's question with a cold gaze and a sharp nod.
"Precisely. Though, to be accurate, he hasn't been imprisoned for any crime."
"I thought as much," Vihera added. "He isn't the type to do anything foolish... But even with you by his side, I wonder how it came to this."
Even for Vihera, the news that her younger brother Mercurio had been captured was clearly unexpected. A faint flicker of agitation crossed her eyes.
Perhaps the confusion could have been avoided if she had exchanged information with Theoreme before meeting Rei, but events had moved too quickly. Theoreme had arrived at the Golden Wind Inn while Vihera was waiting for Rei, and Rei and Elena had returned almost immediately after. There simply hadn't been any time for a private briefing.
At Vihera’s remark, Theoreme turned his attention back to Rei.
"Crimson, it was the actions of this very man that created the current situation, leading to His Highness Mercurio's confinement."
Vihera’s gaze instinctively shifted to Rei at Theoreme’s accusation. She nodded slowly, understanding dawning on her.
"...I see. Now it makes sense. He was made to take responsibility for the Spring War."
"Yes," Theoreme confirmed. "Normally, the responsibility for the defeat should have been pinned on General Kastom, and by extension, the Second Prince Faction. However, through the political machinations of the opposition at court, the blame was shifted entirely onto me—a member of the Third Prince Faction—and consequently, onto His Highness Mercurio as well. We attempted to counter their moves, but our reach was insufficient."
"And that resulted in his confinement?" Rei asked.
"...It did," Theoreme admitted, clenching his teeth.
"Setting aside our elder brothers," Vihera asked, "what about our elder sister?"
She was referring to the First Princess, her half-sister. Unlike Vihera, the First Princess was almost entirely powerless in terms of military might, but she was exceptionally sharp-witted. She was a refined, gentle-looking woman who had proposed numerous successful national policies for the Bestia Empire.
However, her gentle appearance belied her true capabilities. Even the Beast Soldiers under Theoreme’s command existed only because of her cooperation. Ironically, it was the connection between Mercurio and the First Princess that had led to them being forced to shoulder the blame for the defeat in the war against the Kingdom of Mireana.
"Even Her Highness Frizion is currently in a position where she cannot move," Theoreme said, shaking his head with a look of distress.
If they could have relied on Frizion’s help, Theoreme wouldn't have spent a massive amount of secret funding and manpower to track down Vihera and request her aid. To Theoreme, Vihera—a combatant whose strength was worth a thousand men—was an ace in the hole for placing Mercurio on the throne.
"...So, what exactly do you want from me?" Vihera asked. "Skip the tedious phrasing and get straight to the point."
Theoreme shifted his gaze from Vihera to Rei before answering.
"Lady Vihera, before I answer that, please tell me: What is the nature of your relationship with Crimson... no, with Rei?"
Flustered by the blunt, unexpected question, Vihera’s cheeks turned a faint shade of red.
"Well... he’s the person I love."
At those words, Elena’s cheek twitched slightly. Vihera either didn't notice or chose to ignore it as she urged Theoreme to continue.
"I see. So you aren't an established couple yet?"
"Of course not," Elena asserted immediately. She had been listening silently until now, but while she had intended to stay out of the Bestia Empire’s internal affairs, she couldn't remain silent if Vihera was being framed as Rei’s lover.
"...It seems you are loved by some quite charming individuals," Theoreme remarked, a trace of pity in his eyes.
Both Elena and Vihera were undeniably matchless beauties. However, they were also complicated. One was the Daughter of Duke Kerebel’s House, the core of the Neutral Faction in the Kingdom of Mireana and a famous figure known as the Princess General. The other was royalty from a hostile nation that had been Mireana’s nemesis for years, and a Battle Maniac of unparalleled proportions. Despite their beauty, both were incredibly difficult women to deal with.
Rei merely shrugged at Theoreme’s observation, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I don't mind. More importantly, let’s get on with the story."
"Umu, quite right. The situation is straightforward. As I said, those of us in the Third Prince Faction are attempting to rescue His Highness Mercurio from his confinement."
Rei cut in as soon as Theoreme paused.
"That's the part I don't get. Why do you need to move so aggressively right now? Certainly, this Mercurio guy—"
"His Highness Mercurio," Theoreme corrected.
"I’m not exactly a citizen of the Bestia Empire," Rei retorted. "If anything, I’m a resident of the Kingdom of Mireana, your enemy... but fine. Let’s not waste time on titles."
Exhaling a soft sigh, Rei continued.
"I’m sure his confinement is unpleasant for you, but is there really a need to resort to such forceful measures?"
"Under normal circumstances, perhaps not. However, we have obtained information that there are those moving to have His Highness Mercurio disinherited by the end of the year. If it were merely house arrest, I would have endured it. But I cannot stand by and watch him be stripped of his birthright."
Theoreme looked at Vihera with a flicker of hesitation before delivering the final blow.
"...It is even more critical because the ones pushing for this disinheritance are Mercurio’s elder brothers—His Highness Cabajid or His Highness Schuls. Furthermore, we have confirmed that they are utilizing an underground organization to achieve this."
"Wait, Theoreme. Is that true? Are you absolutely certain?"
Vihera was the one who shouted, her voice laced with shock at the mention of the two names.
"Are they really that surprising as opponents?" Rei asked.
Vihera took several sips of fruit water to steady herself before answering him.
"Theoreme is calling them 'His Highness,' so you can probably guess, right? He’s talking about the First Prince and the Second Prince."
"...I see," Rei said, understanding dawning on him. In a struggle for imperial power, he supposed family members could be the most ruthless of all.
"I understand that Mercurio’s life might be in danger if he isn't rescued," Rei said. "I also understand why you need Vihera’s strength and that I’m the one who caused this mess. But why are you telling me all this? This is a serious internal matter. Normally, you wouldn't divulge these details just because I asked, especially with Elena—a noble of the Kingdom of Mireana—sitting right here."
Rei was right; under normal circumstances, such secrets would never be shared with an outsider. Theoreme’s willingness to talk meant there was a specific reason. Theoreme nodded slightly and glanced at Vihera.
"To be frank, the Third Prince Faction is small. It would be easiest to understand if I compared it to the Neutral Faction here in the Kingdom of Mireana. To rescue His Highness Mercurio, we need a hidden card—one so powerful that the opposition cannot easily counter it. Ideally, it would be someone they believe has no cooperative relationship with us at all."
Now Rei understood exactly what Theoreme was getting at. A massive hidden card who was not officially allied with the Third Prince Faction—he was talking about Rei.
"Originally, I came to Exil to ask Lady Vihera to take on that role. But then I found you here instead."
"...And you decided I was more convenient."
Theoreme nodded silently at Rei's exasperated question.
"Honestly, I have no intention of sticking my nose into another country’s power struggles," Rei said.
At his words, Vihera set her cup on the table and bowed her head deeply. Her purple hair spilled forward as she lowered her head.
"Regardless of my status, Mercurio is my dear younger brother," she whispered. "Please... lend us your strength to save him. I will be working with you, of course. But I stand out too much. As a former princess, too many nobles in the Imperial Capital would recognize my face."
Rei nodded, conceding the point. Vihera’s beauty was equal to that of the Princess General, and while she hadn't inherited the magic stone of an Ancient Dragon like Elena, her strength was far beyond that of any normal human. Given her royal background, there was no way she could remain inconspicuous.
Theoreme added his own reasoning.
"Furthermore, your official status is that of an Adventurer. Unlike the Daughter of Duke Kerebel, you aren't strictly an official representative of the Kingdom of Mireana. Therefore, there should be no political barrier to you taking a contract within the Bestia Empire."
"There is a huge problem with that," Elena cut in sharply. She directed a piercing gaze at Theoreme.
"Rei is an adventurer, yes. But he also killed a staggering number of soldiers from the Bestia Imperial Army during the Spring War. If Rei enters your empire, he will undoubtedly be targeted by those seeking revenge. That might suit your purposes by diverting attention away from your lord’s confinement, but it is a massive risk for him."
"...To be honest," Theoreme countered, "no one who actually participated in that war would dare pick a fight with Rei. If they saw him, they would turn and flee immediately."
"That may be true for those who witnessed his strength firsthand," Elena said, her voice remaining cold. "But what about the others? The bereaved families or friends of the deceased—wouldn't their hatred outweigh their fear?"
Elena paused for a second before continuing her interrogation.
"Furthermore, within the Kingdom of Mireana, Rei is viewed as the greatest military asset held by Margrave Larkus. If Rei were to suddenly appear in the Bestia Empire, it would undoubtedly cause trouble for Lord Daskar. Is that not so?"
She turned her gaze from Theoreme to Rei, silently demanding an answer. Rei hesitated. Thinking of the debts he owed Daskar, he couldn't simply ignore the potential fallout.
"If Rei is truly going to help Vihera and Theoreme rescue Prince Mercurio," Elena said, "he should at least report his intentions to Lord Daskar first. The support of the Neutral Faction is a resource we shouldn't throw away."
"...Eh?" Rei uttered, caught off guard by her suggestion.
Elena sighed at his baffled expression.
"What? Did you think I was going to forbid it? I’m certainly not in favor of it, but I know you won't stop once you've made up your mind, Rei."
Rei nodded silently. Vihera was a new bond he had forged in Exil. While he wasn't sure how to answer her feelings for him, he couldn't deny that he cared for her.
"Besides, this isn't just about my personal feelings," Elena added. "As a noble of Mireana, anything that weakens the internal stability of the Bestia Empire is a welcome development."
"...Thank you, Elena," Vihera said softly.
"You have my gratitude," Theoreme added. Their voices of thanks echoed softly through the room.