Daskar's entourage advanced along the highway of the Bestia Empire toward the Imperial Capital.
As the summer sun's heat had softened considerably and the season was shifting in earnest toward autumn, Rei suddenly spoke up.
"Someone's coming."
At his voice, the surrounding escort knights reacted instantly. Rei had noticed several cavalrymen heading their way from the direction of a city visible on the horizon.
The city was still quite far off, and only Rei and Seto had detected the approach. However, no one in the group still doubted the preternatural sharpness of the boy's five senses.
An escort knight near Rei asked concisely, "An enemy?"
Rei tilted his head at the question, then eventually shook it.
"No, I doubt it. If they were planning to harm us, they wouldn't come so openly. They're likely a guard of some sort sent to meet us."
"That... would be quite unusual."
The knight raised his voice in surprise. It had been over ten days since they entered the Bestia Empire. Thus far, while the lords of the territories they passed through had permitted the entourage to travel, none had provided an escort.
In truth, a few lords and local governors had offered to dispatch guards when the group stopped to pay their respects, but Daskar had refused them all. His primary reason was simple: he had no intention of willingly welcoming a traitor in the midst.
It was a necessary precaution, born from a keen understanding of how the nobles and commoners of the empire viewed them.
"I’m sure the herald already conveyed our preferences to the lord here, right?"
"Yeah. If they've sent guards despite that... they might be a troublesome bunch."
"Or maybe the local governor of that city just made the decision on his own?"
Rei nodded at the second knight’s suggestion. No matter how small the Neutral Faction might be compared to the other powers, Daskar remained one of the preeminent nobles representing the Kingdom of Mireana. It wouldn't be strange for a minor official to act on his own judgment to curry favor or seek some profit, regardless of instructions from above.
"Well, whatever they want, we'll find out as soon as we talk to them."
By the time Rei muttered that, the other knights could finally distinguish the five riders heading their way.
"I take it this is the entourage of Margrave Larkus of the Kingdom of Mireana... is that correct?"
The rider at the front, a knight in his forties, called out. One of Daskar's escort knights nodded.
"It is. And you?"
The middle-aged knight seemed slightly surprised by the immediate confirmation, but he let out a sigh of relief.
"I am Dwalub, a knight of the city of Tanaro just ahead. I have come to welcome Margrave Larkus."
"We appreciate the thought. However, as a rule, we have no need for guards. That should have been made clear to the lord of this land."
The knight's tone was more of a confirmation than an accusation. Dwalub nodded, showing he understood perfectly.
"I am aware of our instructions. However, a rather... delicate situation has arisen in Tanaro."
Dwalub didn't appear to be hiding anything; his face was a mask of genuine concern. Despite the honesty in his expression, the escort knight felt a prickle of unease.
"And what is this situation?"
"It is difficult to explain, but... suspicious individuals have begun gathering in the city from out of nowhere."
"...Suspicious?"
The knight's look implied that they should simply be arrested, but Dwalub shook his head apologetically.
"Naturally, we suspect they are plotting something, and we are investigating. But they leave no trail, and we haven't been able to identify a mastermind. I feel my own incompetence deeply."
"I see. What do you think?"
The knight glanced back at his comrades and then at Rei, who sat perched on Seto's back.
Rei shrugged. "Thinking logically, it's either unrest elements who can't stand us being here, or..."
Every gaze gathered on Rei, including Dwalub's and his four subordinates. Dwalub hadn't fought in the Spring War, but he knew enough to recognize the figure who had determined its outcome. A boy riding a gryphon, traveling with Margrave Larkus—it would have been more unnatural not to realize this was the adventurer known as Crimson.
"So, I'm the target," Rei concluded.
Dwalub nodded. "Yes. We believe that is a strong possibility."
"In that case, heading into the city is asking for trouble. What's the plan?"
Rei’s bluntness made the knight give a wry smile, as if wishing the boy would be a little more diplomatic.
"Hold on. I’ll go consult with Lord Daskar."
The knight rode toward the carriage carrying Daskar and the members of the Axe of the Thunder God.
When Rei turned back, he saw Dwalub staring at him—or rather, staring intently at Seto. Dwalub's subordinates were already snickering behind their hands, as if their captain’s behavior was a recurring habit.
"Guruuu?"
Sensing curiosity rather than hostility, Seto tilted its head and let out a soft purr, wondering what was so interesting.
Dwalub didn't even blink; he was mesmerized.
Rei watched him for a moment before speaking up, noticing that Seto was starting to feel awkward.
"Could you stop staring? You're making him uncomfortable."
"Ah...! My apologies! It's just... it's the first time in my life I've seen a gryphon, and I got carried away."
Seeing a man in his forties—a veteran knight, no less—blushing with embarrassment was a sight Rei found hard to describe.
"You aren't afraid of him?"
"No. He wears a Tamed Monster's Necklace, does he not? As long as his master doesn't order an attack, there shouldn't be a problem."
"Well, true enough."
Technically, Seto was a product of Beast Magic rather than a standard tamed monster, but the bond between them was far deeper. Rei allowed himself a small, proud smile and nodded.
"To tell you the truth, when I was a boy, I wanted to research monsters for a living," Dwalub admitted.
"Huh. Is that so?"
Rei looked the man over. Dwalub was well-built and clearly capable; he wouldn't be leading a squad if he lacked talent.
What he wanted to do and what he ended up doing didn't line up, Rei thought. I guess that's common enough, even if it is a bit sad.
Dwalub continued to watch Seto with a faint smile for several minutes until the knight returned from Daskar's carriage. The wry smile was still on the guard’s face. Rei knew what that meant immediately.
"Lord Dwalub, Rei. I’ve informed Lord Daskar of the situation. He said there will be no change to the itinerary."
Dwalub’s eyes sharpened. "We will almost certainly be caught up in a conflict."
The escort knight didn't flinch. "We understand. We only ask that your side does what it can. His Lordship said that if something happens, we will handle it with our own strength."
Dwalub sighed, his stern face relaxing into a weary smile. "Nobility is a heavy burden, isn't it?"
"It is. And Lord Daskar has a particularly unique history."
"Very well. We will do everything in our power. Now, let’s move; we have little time."
With a brief bow, Dwalub and his men led the way. Rei tilted his head and turned to the escort knight.
"Why go into a dangerous city on purpose? We have my magic tent to keep monsters away, and Seto's here. It's not like we're forced to stay there."
"Normally, you'd be right. But don't forget—Lord Daskar is here representing the Neutral Faction of the Kingdom of Mireana. There is the matter of face to consider."
"I see."
Rei didn't fully agree, but he understood. If it were just him and Seto, they could handle anything that crawled out of the dark. But his job wasn't to protect himself; it was to protect Daskar. And when a noble’s pride and reputation were on the line, practical concerns often took a backseat.
Even if those concerns seemed trivial or foolish to anyone else, a noble who cast aside appearances and pride was no longer a noble.
Besides, Daskar had Elk and the rest of the Axe of the Thunder God with him. Rei hadn't taken many escort requests in his career, and while he felt some anxiety about being the primary target, he knew he wasn't alone.
"Well, with you and Elk-san around, we should be fine unless something extraordinary happens."
"Am I the only one who feels like that 'extraordinary something' is exactly what’s waiting for us?" Rei muttered.
Regardless, the decision was final. Rei gently stroked the feathers on Seto's neck.
"It's probably going to be a mess once we’re in the city. You might have to handle things on your own for a bit... Sorry about that."
"Guruuu!" Seto purred, assuring him it was fine.
Given Seto's power, Rei knew the gryphon could look after itself even in a crisis. Still, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt about leaving his partner to handle the fallout of a trap meant for him.
The entourage resumed their pace, heading toward Tanaro.
"Please, pass through."
After the paperwork was finalized at the gate, the guard bowed slightly. Rei kept a sharp eye on his surroundings, stroking Seto, who wore the Tamed Monster's Necklace.
He had half-expected an ambush the moment they crossed the threshold, but the streets remained peaceful. However, the gazes from the townspeople told a different story. Hatred and resentment were palpable in the air.
These must be the unrest elements Dwalub mentioned, Rei thought.
He scanned the crowd as they moved. Several individuals were staring at him with eyes full of loathing. The atmosphere was thick with a murderous intent clouded by malice, making Rei scowl. He found it irritating that they weren't even trying to hide their hostility.
If they were being this blatant, a confrontation was inevitable.
The escort knights felt it too. They maintained their professional composure as the Margrave Larkus's Knight Order, but internally, they were coiled like springs, ready to respond to an attack at a moment's notice.
Smiling politely on the outside while preparing for war on the inside, Rei and the others made their way toward the inn.