Before Rei’s eyes, the debate over the White Rose Knight Order dragged on.
He watched in silence for a while, eventually speaking up once the conversation had lost its initial heat.
"Their request was simple. Frizion ordered them to make contact with Mercurio. They’ve taken the men who just attacked them as prisoners and are currently making their way toward this camp."
"……Big Sister Frizion? It’s only natural to assume that the arrival of the White Rose Knight Order is by her command... but why would she reach out now?" Mercurio muttered to himself, head tilted in thought.
Had this contact occurred before the start of the civil war, the possibility would have been high. But the conflict had already erupted.
Furthermore, Frizion had been aligned with Cabajid and Schuls regarding the very catalyst of this civil strife—Mercurio’s house arrest.
It was only natural for him to wonder what she could possibly want after all this time. Incidentally, though they were siblings, they were half-sisters. Unlike his bond with Vihera, he didn't seem to feel a particularly deep sense of closeness to her.
"I don't know what Big Sister is thinking, but since she’s gone to the trouble of sending her own people, there must be a reason," Vihera remarked. "If we're being optimistic, she probably wants to avoid having siblings fight one another."
"……If it’s Big Sister Frizion, that certainly sounds plausible."
Mercurio let out a small sigh at Vihera’s words, likely picturing his elder sister in his mind.
Before blood had been shed, a resolution through dialogue might have been possible. But now, the internal strife had escalated into open warfare with the Subjugation Army. Both the Subjugation Army and the Rebel Army had reached a point where retreat was no longer an option.
Under such circumstances, there was only one logical reason to initiate contact at this stage.
"A demand for surrender, most likely," Tilleul muttered.
"I agree. Her Highness Frizion likely wishes to prevent any further loss of life."
Theoreme concurred with Tilleul’s assessment. The two of them, well-acquainted with the princess's temperament, nodded to one another as they reached the same conclusion.
"Well, whatever the reason they were sent, we'll find out once we meet them face-to-face. Since they’re already on their way, how are we handling this?"
Rei’s point was simple: if they had business, they could judge it after the meeting. Gurgast nodded in agreement and turned his gaze toward Theoreme.
"I’m with Rei on this. Even if they have some ulterior motive, standing around here talking in circles isn't going to help."
Among the nobles gathered inside the magic tent, those who shared Gurgast’s pragmatism nodded along.
Theoreme observed the room before turning his attention back to Rei.
"Rei, as the one who met with the members of the White Rose Knight Order directly, I want your opinion. Did the woman who brought this message seem like she was plotting something?"
Rei shook his head at Theoreme’s probing question.
"As far as I could see, she didn't seem like the type capable of that kind of duplicity. As a pure warrior, she looked fairly capable, though."
The mention of her skill drew a sharp reaction from the two battle maniacs in the room, Vihera and Gurgast.
Knowing exactly what was crossing their minds, Theoreme and Rei ignored them and continued the discussion.
"So, you believe she has no intention of harming His Highness Mercurio?"
"That’s just my first impression. But regardless of how safe I say she seems, you aren't actually planning to let him meet her without any guards, are you?"
"Naturally not," Theoreme answered instantly.
If Mercurio, the figurehead of the Rebel Army, were to fall, it would mean the total ruin of the rebellion and every soul participating in it. They would never allow their commander to meet an envoy from a hostile faction without protection.
"Then I don't see the problem. They seemed skilled enough, but I doubt they’d try anything stupid when we’re this well-prepared."
"……True. However, there is always the off-chance. I'm sorry to ask this of you, Rei, but would you mind being present as well?"
At Theoreme’s request, several nobles who had yet to see Rei’s strength for themselves looked slighted, as if their own capabilities were being called into question. But since the majority of the high-ranking nobles were nodding in agreement, none of them could openly object.
As for Rei himself...
"I mean, I'll do it if you're telling me to, but is it really necessary? You’ve got Vihera, Theoreme, and Gurgast. Not to mention whatever other trump cards you’re hiding."
By "trump cards," Rei meant the Beast Soldiers. A few people in the room who hadn't been read into that secret looked momentarily confused by his wording.
"It’s a matter of being doubly sure. Besides, Rei, your mere presence acts as a powerful deterrent. If the White Rose Knight Order is planning anything, they’ll judge it as futile the moment they see you. You were the one who defeated their attackers, after all."
"I won't deny that. ……Fine, if you're that insistent. I don't have much else to do besides eat anyway, so I'll help out. But if I’m cooperating, I expect you to be generous with the food."
Theoreme’s brow furrowed slightly at the demand.
Having seen with his own eyes how much the man and his beast consumed during their journey from the Kingdom of Mireana, he knew the risk. If he gave Rei and Seto free rein over the stores, the Rebel Army might find its entire supply of provisions vanishing into thin air.
It was a perfectly justified fear.
Rei likely arrived at that conclusion himself by watching Theoreme’s reaction, for he shrugged his shoulders and added a clarification.
"I’m not saying the Rebel Army has to foot the bill for every single one of my meals. I’m just curious about what you’re eating, so I’d like to sample it. Though, obviously, the more you can spare, the better."
Deciding it was better to simply comply, Theoreme turned his gaze toward Mercurio.
Even without words, Mercurio understood what was being asked of him and nodded immediately. He hadn't yet experienced exactly how much food Rei and Seto could pack away in a single sitting, so his decision was based on ignorance—but in this instance, it wasn't the wrong move.
"Since we have His Highness Mercurio’s permission, we shall proceed accordingly. Now, how long until the members of the White Rose Knight Order arrive at the camp?"
"Well, they said they were in a hurry, so I'd imagine any moment—"
Just as Rei began to speak, a knight responsible for guarding the entrance stepped into the magic tent as if perfectly timed.
"Pardon the interruption. A unit directly under Her Highness Frizion, the White Rose Knight Order, has arrived and is requesting an audience with His Highness Mercurio. They claim that word has already been sent ahead..."
The knight glanced briefly at Rei as he spoke. He had likely surmised that the "word" had come from Rei, who had entered the tent earlier on urgent business.
And he was correct.
"Yes, I have been informed. Show them in at once."
"Sir!"
The knight nodded at Theoreme’s command and departed.
Watching him go, Mercurio finally addressed the room.
"Now then, I shall meet with the envoy from the White Rose Knight Order. Aside from Big Sister, Theoreme, Tilleul, Gurgast, and Rei, I would like everyone else to withdraw."
"Your Highness Mercurio!?" the nobles cried out in protest.
None of them had expected to be dismissed so abruptly. But Mercurio showed no sign of wavering as he faced them.
"As far as guards are concerned, the individuals I named are more than sufficient."
It was an undeniable truth. With such a powerhouse lineup anchoring the defense, no ordinary assassin could hope to harm Mercurio. Furthermore, the Beast Soldiers were secretly standing guard as well. Only someone with the monstrous strength of a man like Noise would pose a genuine threat.
"That’s not the point! While your protection may be adequate, meeting an envoy with so few subordinates present will make us look weak in their eyes!"
One of the nobles argued, prompting a faint smile from Mercurio.
"Weak? As you well know, I am currently nothing more than the figurehead of a Rebel Army. Given my status, I don't think there’s much lower I can fall. Besides, if the opposition underestimates us, wouldn't you agree that’s a stroke of luck?"
The noble tried to speak again, but Theoreme cut him off.
"His Highness Mercurio has given his command. See that you follow it."
A few of the nobles looked visibly offended by Theoreme’s intervention. Ultimately, however, they judged that further protest was futile and quietly filed out of the tent.
"Was that wise, Mercurio? I’m sure some were just acting out of self-interest, but there must have been those truly worried about you."
"I understand your point, Big Sister... but this is Big Sister Frizion we’re dealing with. There's no telling what she’ll say. I’d rather not have things get needlessly complicated by a crowd."
First Princess Frizion. Her kindness was legendary, but the fact that she occasionally took erratic or unpredictable actions was a secret known only to her family and those closest to her. For such a sister to specifically dispatch knights from her personal unit, the White Rose Knight Order... there was bound to be a twist. Mercurio wasn't wrong to be wary.
Vihera let out a soft chuckle, seemingly in agreement. Although it had been several years since she left the Bestia Empire, it hadn't been so long that she had forgotten her own sister’s personality.
"She hasn't changed a bit, has she?"
"No."
Perhaps because they were now down to a small, familiar circle, Mercurio nodded with a more relaxed expression. Rei didn't know if he was truly included in that "trusted circle," but based on the prince’s demeanor, he could tell that while he was being watched closely, there was no hostility in the air.
As they engaged in light conversation, the knight from before returned to the magic tent.
"Pardon me. I have brought the members of the White Rose Knight Order. Furthermore, we have already taken custody of the prisoners they brought and are currently interrogating them."
Behind the knight were Videre and her four subordinates, just as Rei had seen them earlier.
Seeing that there were far fewer people in the tent than expected, Videre’s eyes flickered with a moment’s hesitation. Having surrendered her weapons before entering, she likely considered the possibility that they were being led into an execution.
Yet, she showed no outward sign of fear, perhaps sustained by the pride of being a knight directly under First Princess Frizion. However, a flicker of genuine agitation crossed her gaze when she spotted Rei among those waiting.
It was only natural, given that she had personally witnessed the overwhelming combat power of Rei and Seto just a short while ago.
"Your Highness Mercurio, it is a great honor to meet you. I am Videre, Captain of the White Rose Knight Order Third Unit."
Videre offered a respectful bow, but knowing she was in enemy territory, she did not kneel. Her four subordinates followed suit. Despite having surrendered their weapons to enter the tent, they showed no signs of letting their guard down.
"Yes. I remember hearing of you from Big Sister. I was told you were a warrior of great courage and loyalty within the White Rose Knight Order. So, for what purpose would such a person come all this way to the Rebel Army—a group that, for all intents and purposes, is hostile to Big Sister?"
Videre looked momentarily surprised that Mercurio knew her name, but she quickly produced a single envelope.
"Her Highness Frizion instructed me to deliver this into Your Highness Mercurio’s hands."
"……Theoreme."
"Sir!"
At Mercurio’s command, Theoreme moved forward to receive the sealed letter from Videre. He brought it over to Mercurio, who confirmed that the wax seal was indeed his sister’s before breaking it open.
Inside were several sheets of parchment. He scanned them quickly...
"Heh... Ahahaha, hahahahaha!"
A chuckle began to bubble up, quickly escalating into a loud, resounding laugh.
He clearly found the contents absolutely hilarious. The sound of his mirth echoed through the magic tent, leaving everyone in a state of sudden, confused silence.