Around the same time Rei and Noise were conversing in the arena's waiting room, a group of riders was galloping through the streets of the Imperial Capital.
Leading the pack was the breathtaking Vihera, draped in her Thin Raiment, which was so sheer it seemed almost translucent. Trailing behind her were Tilleul, Theoreme, Siance, Kyuken, and a contingent of knights. At the heart of the group, protected on all sides, rode Mercurio.
Mercurio appeared mild-mannered at first glance, but as a member of the Imperial Family, he was a competent horseman. Despite his looks, he was actually quite adept at horsemanship and martial arts—a trait he clearly shared with his sister Vihera, born of the same mother.
The group, numbering nearly thirty riders, thundered straight toward the Main Gate. They had arrived at the palace on foot, so how had they acquired horses? The answer was simple: they had commandeered them from the palace stables. They had also driven the remaining horses out of the stalls, a petty trick intended to delay any potential pursuit.
Of course, the palace had more than a few stables. Once word got out, pursuit forces would surely scramble to other stalls. Furthermore, the released horses weren't dead; given time, they would be rounded up and added to the hunt. Thus, the riders led by Vihera pressed forward without a moment's pause.
Fortunately, the crowds had yet to return from the arena. The streets were relatively clear, and the few residents who were about quickly scrambled out of the way—or rather, dove for cover—upon seeing the group's frantic pace.
"I'm glad we chose the day of the finals to extract Mercurio," Vihera remarked, watching the townspeople flee. "If it had been any other day, we would have been trampling residents left and right."
Mercurio, hearing this, could only sigh. "If we had done that, we would have lost all hope of winning the people's support for what comes next."
The wind carried his whisper away before anyone could hear. In truth, Mercurio knew that if they had trampled innocent civilians, the First Prince Faction—who had undoubtedly orchestrated this entire crisis—would have gleefully weaponized the tragedy to ruin his reputation.
(Even if we didn't hurt anyone, they'll probably just claim we did. From their perspective, the more they can vilify me, the better.)
He narrowed his eyes, relishing the sensation of the wind whipping past him for the first time in an eternity, but his mind remained sharp. Analyzing the situation while in motion was a deeply ingrained habit. To any observer, however, Mercurio merely looked as though he was wearing a pensive, pained smile. Indeed, Kyuken found herself momentarily entranced by the sight of him.
Kyuken was only in this group because she had been seen acting with Theoreme by too many people. From the knights guarding Mercurio's quarters to the maids who saw her guiding the "invaders" through the castle, her cover was blown. Staying behind would have meant certain capture and interrogation by the First Prince Faction. She wasn't alone; other spies who had infiltrated as maids, servants, or soldiers were also part of the escape. Staying in the castle would have been purely detrimental at this point.
The residents watched in a stupor as the group thundered past.
"...Hey, wasn't that Her Highness Vihera at the front?"
"I thought so too... but wasn't there a rumor she ran away?"
"You're out of the loop. They say she came back for the Fighting Tournament with a groom in tow. I even heard someone saw her heading into the palace recently."
"...A groom? Regardless, why is she racing through the streets like a madwoman?"
"Maybe... because the groom is with her?"
"From what I saw, there was a man who looked like a noble. Would Her Highness really choose a noble for a husband?"
"Ah... I know about that one. That noble-looking fellow is supposed to be head over heels for her. My cousin's a soldier in the Imperial Army, and he mentioned something about it."
"Really? That Lady Vihera... but why are they riding like this?"
"Who knows? Maybe it's just her idea of fun?"
Such were the rumors spreading through the city—rumors that would have made Vihera approach the speakers with a dangerous smile had she heard them.
(Though later, when she did hear them, she would worry like a lovestruck maiden that Rei might misunderstand, much to the amusement of Mercurio, Tilleul, and Theoreme.)
Regardless, the horses soon reached the Main Gate. Normally, the guards would have slammed it shut. However, the gate ahead of them showed no sign of closing. On the contrary, several knights on horseback were waiting there, waving them forward.
"It seems they seized the gate as planned," Vihera noted with a satisfied grin.
To escape the Imperial Capital, they had to pass through the defensive walls. Anticipating this, they had coordinated with a group of Theoreme's elite subordinates to seize the Main Gate at the exact time of the rescue.
While Theoreme had initially suggested a less-guarded gate, Vihera had insisted on the Main Gate. Her logic was that no one would expect such a bold move, and the wide roads leading to it made for a faster, safer exit for the horses. Theoreme had eventually yielded. It was also the most direct route to rendezvous with the other forces supporting the Third Prince Faction.
They merged with the waiting knights and burst through the gate, clearing the final obstacle to their escape.
"Thank you. You saved us a lot of trouble," Vihera told the knights.
The knights nodded curtly before turning their eyes toward Mercurio, who rode near Theoreme.
"Your Highness, we are relieved to see you safe."
"Yes. I am grateful for your hard work," Mercurio replied.
It was a short exchange, but it was enough to satisfy the men. Strength surged through them, their morale skyrocketing at the mere sight of their lord. Tilleul, however, watched this with a hint of dissatisfaction. He found the knights' reaction to Mercurio more fervent than their reaction to his beloved Vihera. It was the eternal divide between those loyal to Mercurio's cause and Tilleul, who was obsessed with the Second Princess herself.
"Prince Mercurio," Theoreme said, "once we continue down this road, we will rendezvous with the rest of our supporters."
Mercurio nodded. "And our temporary base? We can't stay in a camp forever."
"We are heading for Count Obrisin's Territory. He responded to Lady Vihera's summons immediately."
"Count Obrisin... Ah, I see. That makes sense."
Mercurio didn't need to hear more. Count Obrisin was a man renowned for his martial prowess—and his pride in it. He was a difficult man who only respected those with similar strength. He and Vihera had been acquaintances long before she fled the Empire. They were two of a kind in their pursuit of power, and Count Obrisin had joined the Second Princess Faction only after Vihera defeated him in a duel.
If Tilleul was the brains of the faction, Count Obrisin was the brawn. However, he was a warrior through and through, possessing little talent for leadership. He was the type to charge into the fray personally to inspire his men with his own heroics. Since Vihera's departure, many nobles had tried to recruit him, but he had rebuffed them all, telling them to prove they were stronger than him first.
"Is Count Obrisin still the same?" Mercurio asked, picturing the stern, bearded man.
Theoreme gave a wry smile. "Indeed. He is an eccentric man, but he didn't hesitate for a second once Lady Vihera reached out."
"I'd appreciate it if you remembered that I was the first to respond to Lady Vihera," Tilleul interjected, not wanting to be overshadowed.
Mercurio nodded smoothly. "Of course. I know it's thanks to you that Big Sister was able to mobilize so many nobles so quickly."
Mercurio meant it—Tilleul's diplomatic skills had indeed been instrumental. Tilleul, satisfied that his contribution was recognized, said no more.
"Count Obrisin? You mean that one?" Kyuken asked a colleague riding beside her.
Kyuken had heard the rumors but never seen the man. Her cheek twitched slightly.
"Yeah," the knight replied. "He's close to Lady Vihera and has a significant force. But since he's more of a warrior than a general, his subordinates are mostly the same type."
"Doesn't he have a lieutenant or someone to actually handle the logistics and commanding?"
It was a natural question for any soldier or noble, but the knight just laughed.
"For some reason, that kind of talent never sticks around under him. Like attracts like, I suppose."
"Like attracts like, huh... That sounds terrifying."
Kyuken winced at the thought of a whole army of muscle-brained warriors. They wouldn't have any coordination; they'd just be a collection of individuals fighting their own battles. They'd be impossible to control. Her colleague saw her concern and smiled.
"Well, every tool has its use. The fact that he's considered one of Lady Vihera's most powerful allies should tell you all you need to know."
"...I suppose."
Kyuken involuntarily imagined herself trying to command such a unit, only to be left standing there in shock as every single one of them ignored her orders to charge straight into the enemy.