To backtrack slightly: it was the morning of the day Rei was scheduled to face Yuitor in the Fifth Round.
Rhodos spent that morning training with Blatta. It was a grueling regimen, far more intense than anything he had practiced with Rei. Since they relied on potions to mend flesh, Rhodos and Blatta now used live blades even in their mock battles. Naturally, as this was training, they took care not to do something as extreme as severing a limb, but deep gashes were unavoidable. They healed these wounds with potions—exorbitant items equal to or even better than the trump card Rhodos had prepared for his own tournament match against Rei.
This is exactly what I’d expect from the First Prince, Rhodos mused as he poured a potion over a jagged gash on his arm. He was breathing heavily, but he still had plenty of stamina. From another perspective, however, it meant he was taking massive damage from Blatta's strikes while he still had the energy to defend himself.
I’m still... not there yet, he thought, lamenting his own inadequacy. He confirmed the wound had closed and turned his gaze toward the empty potion container.
Rhodos had initially asked to ingest the potions during training to benefit from their constant recovery effect, but Blatta had shot the idea down immediately. High-quality potions were notoriously foul regardless of their efficacy; drinking them like water would numb his palate, ruining his appetite and making it impossible to maintain his physique through proper meals.
"Hey, don't drink the stuff," Blatta barked, sensing his thoughts.
Rhodos nodded, capped the container, and set it aside. Blatta watched him for a moment before abruptly changing the subject.
"By the way, I heard the Requiem Bell is making a move. I hope your target, Rei, doesn't get taken out too easily."
Rhodos froze, the shock halting his movements.
"..."
Later, Rhodos wore a grim expression as he headed toward the quarters provided for his lodging. The news that the Requiem Bell was mobilizing in earnest left him unsettled. If Rei fell before they could have their rematch, Rhodos’s entire reason for infiltrating the First Prince Faction would vanish.
Rei should be able to handle himself, but Blatta said they’re planning to strike the moment he lets his guard down after the Fifth Round. There’s a chance they could actually pull it off...
He scanned his surroundings while glancing at the sky, but he lacked the sensory skills to detect the spies likely trailing him.
This is the First Prince Faction, after all. They must have plenty of skilled thieves and scouts. There's no way I could detect them. More importantly, there's no way they trust me yet. They've surely put watchers on me, which means I can't do anything reckless.
It was entirely possible that Blatta's story was a litmus test. As he walked, trying to mask his agitation, a maid approaching from the opposite direction tripped and collapsed.
"Eek!"
She let out a short cry. Rhodos couldn't simply ignore a woman who might be injured, so he approached her while scratching his head. He reached out to help her, but his face hardened when he recognized her. She was a person belonging to the Third Prince Faction whom he had met during the journey to the Imperial Capital.
"Kyu—"
"Shh!" Kyuken cut him off sharply. "You are being watched. Pretend to help me as if I’m just a maid."
Rhodos complied, gently hoisting her to her feet.
"You certainly are reckless," she whispered. "I never imagined you’d actually infiltrate the First Prince Faction. Finding you was quite the chore."
"Sorry. I wasn't in a position to let anyone know I was going undercover. But what would you have done if I’d actually defected?"
"I wasn't worried. Your parents gave us their word. Besides, you wouldn't dream of betraying Lady Vihera, would you?"
"Ugh..."
Rhodos winced at the mention of his first love and hurriedly changed the subject. "What did my father and mother say?"
"Your mother was quite concerned. Your father? Not so much."
Kyuken leaned on his shoulder, feigning a sprained ankle. "Is it safe to talk?" Rhodos asked.
"The watchers are far enough away. They won't hear us at this volume. So, have you learned anything?"
"The Requiem Bell is moving against Rei today. They're going to hit him right after his match."
Kyuken managed to mask her surprise perfectly. To anyone watching, she merely looked like a maid in pain. "Why now? And how did the First Prince Faction get intel on them?"
"They have an extensive intelligence network. At any rate, I'm being watched, so I can't move. You have to let Rei know."
"You're quite kind, aren't you? I thought for sure..."
Knowing what she was about to say, Rhodos gave a small, bitter smile. "I want to defeat Rei, but I want to do it with my own hands. If he dies at someone else's hands, there's no point in me coming all the way over here."
"I see. I have many things I’d like to say about that, but I'll leave the lecturing to your parents. I’ll make sure Rei knows before the assassins strike. I'm not the only one in the castle; I'll coordinate the message."
"Understood. Then I'm counting on you. Also, tell Lord Daskar that a man named Blatta is here. He’s incredibly dangerous. And he's not the only one; the First Prince Faction has several fighters on his level or higher."
"Blatta... is it?" Kyuken’s expression soured, making it clear she had no pleasant memories of the man. "I've noted the intel. I will pass it on. Just make sure you don't do anything to arouse suspicion, Rhodos. It was luck that got you this far—make the most of it."
"I'll try to reach you again. If I can't, look for anyone carrying this," she said, revealing a dagger with a distinct carving on the scabbard visible only to him.
"Got it. Tell my father and mother I’m sorry for worrying them."
"I will. Though you’d better prepare yourself for the scolding of a lifetime once this is over."
She bowed politely and went on her way.
After his match with Yuitor, Rei was heading toward his waiting room when a female soldier appeared in the hallway. Rei wondered if some kind of trouble had broken out, but she approached him with a neutral expression. When she was just a few steps away, she dropped a cloth and crouched to retrieve it.
As Rei approached, she picked up a dagger—one identical to the identification token used by Kyuken.
"A report from Lord Rhodos, who is infiltrating the First Prince Faction," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Requiem Bell assassins are hiding inside the waiting room, aiming for Lord Rei's life. Please be careful."
"...What?"
Rei instinctively questioned her, but the soldier merely stood up and walked toward the arena, her duty finished. Rei was about to call out to her, but he realized why she had used such a discrete method. He scanned his surroundings, but while he felt several presences, none carried a murderous intent he could pin down. He assumed he was being monitored.
I was wondering why Rhodos hadn't come back to the inn... I can't believe he actually managed to infiltrate the First Prince’s camp. That’s a surprise in more ways than one.
The First Prince Faction was likely to be the greatest obstacle in the Third Prince's Rescue mission for Mercureo. While Rhodos had acted on his own, Rei had to admit it was an effective move.
There might be fools who can't see the forest for the trees, but since Lord Daskar is handling the logistics, everything should be fine.
He shifted his focus to the threat ahead. The assassins had chosen the waiting room because it was a confined space, hoping to limit the reach of the Death Scythe.
If they think a small room will save them, they're in for a surprise.
Rei gripped his weapon and stepped toward the waiting room where his enemies lay in wait.