Two days had passed since they reached the Selemuce Plain. Evening was fast approaching, and the sun had begun to sink into a deep twilight glow as Daskar's entourage, now joined by the carriage Siance had arrived in, finally emerged on the other side of the desolate lands.
The crossing was originally expected to take another full day. Several factors had contributed to their swift passage: the exceptional skill of the driver, the high-caliber horses, a persistent tailwind that naturally bolstered their pace, and the surprisingly even terrain of the plain itself.
Having cleared the border of the Selemuce Plain much earlier than anticipated, the group came to a halt to hold a final council regarding their next steps.
"Then, we shall part ways here as planned."
"Understood," Daskar replied. "We will proceed exactly as we discussed before, so you have nothing to worry about. As for our means of contact..."
"Yes. We will dispatch a messenger from our side," Theoreme said. "They will be carrying this dagger so there is no room for error. If someone without this blade appears, assume they were sent by a rival faction and exercise extreme caution."
Theoreme produced a dagger with a butterfly crest engraved into the hilt. It was not a magic item, but rather a masterpiece of craftsmanship—more a work of art than a weapon. Daskar studied the emblem, then gave a small, firm nod of acknowledgment.
Rei listened to the conversation with half an ear while his hand worked rhythmically at Seto's head. The Gryphon was sprawled comfortably on the ground, maintaining a sharp watch over their surroundings even as it enjoyed the attention.
"Lord Crimson."
Rei looked up at the sound of his title. Standing there was Siance, Theoreme's lieutenant, a woman of severe, crystalline beauty.
Here she comes, Rei thought.
Since they had joined forces, he had felt her eyes on him constantly. Her gaze wasn't the flirtatious look Vihera often gave him, nor was it the battle-hungry stare she occasionally flashed when she wanted to test his strength. Siance’s gaze was one of cold observation and deep-seated wariness.
Though she had maintained that distance even during their camp, she had likely decided to speak now because the moment of their separation had arrived.
"Do you need something?" Rei asked.
"Guruuuu," Seto trilled happily, the sound vibrating through its throat as Rei continued to scratch it.
Despite having the eagle-like head of a bird of prey and the muscular lower body of a lion, Seto looked far more like a house pet in this state. For a moment, Siance looked on in disbelief at the creature’s behavior; it was impossible to reconcile this domestic scene with the monster that had turned the tides against the Bestia Empire during the Spring War.
However, having witnessed this pair's odd dynamic several times during their breaks and camps, she quickly regained her composure and spoke.
"Lord Crimson. I wish to thank you for lending your strength to our cause during this turmoil within the Empire."
Siance offered a slight, formal bow. Rei stopped stroking Seto and waved a hand dismissively. "Vihera asked me. Besides, this is an official request with a promised reward. You don't need to feel so indebted."
"No. To be honest, having someone of your caliber on our side is nothing short of a godsend. If you had sided with our opponents... well, I would not go so far as to say our defeat would be guaranteed, but the odds against us would have been astronomical."
She clearly felt lucky to have Rei among their ranks. Realizing further humility would be wasted on her, Rei gave a small shrug.
"Well, I’ll make sure to put in a performance that matches your expectations. Luckily, I hear the Fighting Tournament is set up so that deaths are rare unless someone goes for an immediate kill."
Rei was long past the point where killing caused him much psychological distress, but he had no desire to take lives without cause. If there were no other way, he would do what was necessary, but he possessed the maturity to choose a non-lethal path when available. From his perspective, a tournament utilizing ancient technology to prevent fatalities was a welcome change of pace.
"...I see. You possess a fondness for combat as well, though perhaps not to the same degree as Lady Vihera."
"Call me Rei. I know I have the alias Crimson, but I'd prefer you used my name."
Siance lapsed into a few seconds of silence before nodding. "Very well. Lord Rei, then."
"Please. I'm not a fan of formal titles."
"Guruuu?"
Seto nudged Rei's hand with its beak, letting out a soft coo to complain about being ignored. Rei gave a wry smile, while Siance blinked in surprise. She clearly hadn't expected the Gryphon Seto—a creature that had become a literal symbol of death in the Empire—to be so affectionate.
"It is... quite different from what I imagined. Its personality, I mean."
"He's usually like this. Friendly, and always looking for his next meal. Right, Seto?"
"Guruuu!"
Seto trilled an enthusiastic confirmation. For those who had faced them on the battlefield, the sight of the pair acting like this would likely be dismissed as a hallucination, even if seen with their own eyes.
"Regardless, Lord Rei, I imagine this path will bring many burdens upon you. Your role is to draw the attention of the upper management, which means you will inevitably encounter those who harbor deep grudges from the Spring War."
"I figured as much. I'll handle them."
"...Thank you."
Siance bowed again, an internal weight lifting from her chest. She had approached Rei specifically to gauge his character before they parted ways. Short as the conversation was, she felt she understood him now. He enjoyed combat, yet he was diligent about his duties. And...
He is arrogantly self-assured.
His confidence clearly stemmed from his overwhelming power, but for a mission that required him to be as conspicuous as possible, such a trait was actually an asset.
Just then, she heard the voices of Daskar and Theoreme calling for them. Their council had concluded, and the time for idle talk was over.
"It seems we are being summoned. I shall take my leave. We likely will not meet again until this matter is concluded, so let me say it now: good luck in the Fighting Tournament."
"Yeah."
"Guruuu!"
Rei will be fine! Seto trilled confidently. Siance allowed a faint, rare smile to grace her lips before she turned and walked away.
As she left, Vihera appeared, having finished her own talk with the men. She wore a playful, mischievous grin.
"My, my. Are you planning on making a move on Siance too, Rei?"
"No, that’s not it at all."
Rei shook his head at the sudden accusation, but Vihera just chuckled. "I’m joking. That girl doesn't have eyes for anyone but Theoreme."
"Is that so?"
"You didn't notice?" Vihera asked, sounding exasperated. To Rei, Siance’s feelings for Theoreme had seemed more like profound reverence than romance, but it appeared Vihera saw something else entirely. "Well, I suppose I should be glad my list of competitors isn't growing any longer."
With a soft smile, Vihera stepped closer. She reached out, her fingers gently stroking Rei’s cheek.
"I shouldn't have to say this to the man who defeated me, but please, be careful. Once we enter Imperial territory, we'll be moving separately."
"I know. I beat you, so I don't plan on losing to any common Imperial soldiers."
"Is that right? Good. I’m looking forward to the day we meet again. I'll be counting down the days."
She lingered for a few seconds, her fingers trailing across his skin as if loath to let go. Then, she leaned in, pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, and turned to follow her companions.
"Guruuu?"
Rei brushed the spot where her lips had touched, his other hand automatically returning to scratch Seto’s head.
The carriage carrying Theoreme, Vihera, and Siance pulled away, heading in a different direction from the main road. Daskar’s entourage watched them vanish into the distance before resuming their own journey toward the Imperial Capital.
For the first few days of travel through the borderlands, they passed through quiet hamlets like Goto or even abandoned villages reclaimed by the wild. However, as they drew closer to the heart of the Empire, the highway became bustling with travelers, adventurers, and merchant caravans.
Naturally, Rei and Seto were impossible to miss.
"H-Hey, look! That guy is riding a Gryphon!"
"...No way."
"Does that mean he's 'Crimson'?"
"He's got his hood up, but look at his size. He looks like a kid... or maybe a woman?"
"But who else has a tamed monster Gryphon? It has to be him."
As the onlookers whispered their theories, one man standing by the road suddenly dropped his pack. He fell to his knees, his entire body racking with violent tremors.
He was a man in his mid-thirties, and his sudden collapse drew concerned stares from the crowd. He didn't seem to notice them; he hugged himself tightly, shivering as if he had been plunged into sub-zero temperatures.
"Hey, friend. Are you okay?" a nearby merchant asked, reaching out a hand.
That touch was the breaking point.
"Hii—Hiiiiieeeeeeeee!"
The man let out a blood-curdling shriek. He scrambled to his feet and bolted, running as fast as his legs would carry him to get away from the road. The crowd watched him in stunned silence, eventually muttering about the heat driving people mad before turning back to their own business.
The man didn't stop until he was deep within the woods lining the highway, hidden from sight.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! Why? Why is he here? Why is that demon here!?" he screamed, his voice cracking with agony. "I finally escaped... I ran from the army... I was living in peace... Why is he back!?"
He punched a nearby tree with all his might, a guttural cry tearing from his throat. His knuckles split against the rough bark, blood seeping from the skin. It was a soldier's fist—calloused and trained.
This man was a survivor of the Spring War. He had been part of the ill-fated advance unit. He had survived the firestorm Rei had unleashed and the rain of metal that followed. He had somehow escaped the subsequent massacre carried out by Rei's Death Scythe.
He had run and run until he was far from the front lines, eventually deserting the military entirely. Luck had stayed with him; the Empire hadn't bothered to track every missing soldier in the chaos of their defeat. For six months, he had lived under a false identity, scraping together a living as a peddler. He had finally begun to think it was safe to go home.
And then, he had seen him.
The embodiment of death and despair that had haunted his every nightmare.
"Why... Why... WHY!?"
He slumped against the trunk, wailing like a child and striking the wood until his hands were slick with blood. He didn't care. The pain was nothing compared to the terror. After several minutes of frantic rage, he sat still, his back against the tree, staring blankly at nothing.
"Do you... hate him?"
The man froze. He hadn't heard anyone approach. He couldn't even tell where the voice had come from.
He spun around, eyes wide with panic, but he saw nothing but the summer leaves beginning to turn to autumn gold.
"W-Who’s there!?"
"It doesn't matter who I am," the voice whispered. It seemed to come from the air itself. "The only thing that matters is this: do you harbor hatred for that man? For that Gryphon? For Crimson? Do you hate the one who took everything from you?"
"..."
The man hesitated for only a second. Something about the voice felt like a pull he couldn't resist.
"I hate him... I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!"
The forest echoed with his raw, jagged malice. The voice spoke again, its tone almost nurturing, as if to cradle his rage.
"I see. Then come with us. We shall help you settle that debt of yours."
What was he doing? The thought flickered in his mind, but he ignored it. He stood and followed the voice deeper into the shadows of the woods.
Behind him, nothing remained but the bloodstains on the bark and a few drops on the forest floor. And, lingering in the air, a strangely seductive, sweet fragrance.