Laughter rang out inside the magic tent.
Mercurio, who had been howling with mirth, gradually let his voice fade into a faint smile before turning his eyes back to the letter once more.
Those watching him—Vihera, Theoreme, Gurgast, Tilleul, Videre, and her four subordinates, along with Rei—gaped at the prince as if they were witnessing a miracle. Their surprise was warranted. It was rare for Mercurio, who was usually best described as reserved and quiet, to laugh so joyfully.
Of course, given that he was Vihera’s biological brother, he naturally possessed a fiery temperament beneath the surface, along with a certain imperial ruthlessness. He simply didn't allow it to show often. Right now, however, Mercurio was letting his guard down.
"Mercurio, what did Big Sister write?"
Vihera was the first to speak. It was a bold move, likely born of her status as his older sister.
"Big Sister... Her Highness Frizion says she wants to side with me."
"...Heeh. Well, that’s a surprise. Or maybe it isn't? In fact, it might even make a certain amount of sense."
"Yes. It makes sense, but given the circumstances, I can’t simply take her at her word. Videre, was it? Regarding this letter..."
Mercurio turned his gaze toward Videre to gauge Frizion’s true intentions, but he stopped mid-sentence. He saw that Videre’s eyes were wide with genuine shock.
If this was an act, she would have been a world-class performer. Her astonishment seemed that profound. Mercurio hesitated for a moment and turned his eyes toward Rei.
Though only minutes had passed since Mercurio and Videre met, Rei had spent significantly more time with her on the journey to the camp. Mercurio’s gaze was a silent plea for Rei to judge whether her reaction was genuine. In response, Rei simply shook his head.
He was signaling that Videre’s reaction was almost certainly real.
Rei didn’t know the knight captain particularly well, but from their brief conversations, he had recognized her as a woman of deep loyalty. He didn't think his assessment was wrong. In other words, Videre had likely been kept in the dark about the letter’s contents.
Seeing Rei’s silent confirmation, Mercurio accepted the situation for the time being. However, his trust was only superficial; he did not yet believe in Rei with his whole heart. Their time together was still far too short. While he trusted Rei enough because Vihera and Theoreme did, that was mere confidence, not true faith.
"It seems you weren't informed of the contents of this letter either," Mercurio noted. "I assume it's the same for the four behind you?"
Videre’s subordinates nodded in silent agreement.
"I see. Big Sister, what do you think?"
"Knowing Big Sister Frizion’s personality, I don't think it's a trap... but still..."
The fact that she couldn't dismiss the possibility entirely suggested she harbored lingering doubts.
"Our current disadvantage is clear to see," Tilleul interjected. "True, we achieved what could be called an overwhelming victory in the first battle thanks to Lady Vihera’s performance as a War Maiden, but that doesn't change the strategic reality. We are the underdogs. Considering that..."
Theoreme nodded as Tilleul explained the situation, the latter taking every opportunity to praise the woman he worshipped.
"Betraying the side with the overwhelming advantage to join us... one would need a monumental reason to do such a thing," Theoreme said. "It would be helpful if we understood the underlying circumstances."
Theoreme trailed off, turning his sharp gaze toward Videre. As if pulled by his lead, everyone else in the tent followed suit.
"H-Her Highness Frizion is not the type of person to resort to such underhanded schemes! Surely His Highness Mercurio and Her Highness Vihera, as her own siblings, know that?"
"...And yet, it is a fact that Big Sister Frizion took part in the plan to place me under house arrest," Mercurio countered. "I escaped from that, and now she suddenly offers her cooperation as if turning over a new leaf. Do you really expect me to just say, 'Yes, of course,' and believe her?"
"That is...! There was surely a reason for it! A reason why she simply had no other choice!"
As a knight sworn to Frizion, Videre felt she would fail in her duty if she couldn't convince them to trust her mistress. Above all, she feared Frizion would be heartbroken if she heard of their distrust.
Mercurio let out a weary sigh.
"Perhaps that was the case. Or perhaps it wasn't. In the end, only Big Sister Frizion knows the truth. The only result that remains is that I was imprisoned and my life was put at risk. Though... I still don't know where the rumor about my life being in danger actually started."
It was that very rumor that had forced Theoreme to conclude his lord was in peril and take drastic action. In that sense, the rumor was the catalyst for the entire rebellion.
That rumor spread out of nowhere, Mercurio mused inwardly, a playful edge to his thoughts that didn't reach his face. Truly out of thin air. Only a handful of people have the means to pull that off. So... I wonder whose handiwork it was?
"But if Her Highness Frizion regrets that choice, isn't that why she offered her support to you now?" Videre pressed.
"Yes, that is certainly a possibility. However, I still cannot simply accept it blindly."
"...Does that mean you are refusing the proposal?"
Videre’s voice was tense as she sought confirmation, but Mercurio shook his head.
"I didn't say that. It's just not an offer I can answer immediately. Fortunately, we have only just set up camp here, and we aren't planning to move to the next location right away. Since this is no longer Count Obrisin’s Territory, we must secure the surrounding area before we proceed."
Mercurio watched the expressions of Videre and her four knights as he spoke.
"I will decide how to reply to Big Sister Frizion’s offer before the camp moves again. Until then, please relax and make yourselves at home. However, since you might find yourselves lost within this camp, I’ll assign a guide to accompany you."
He called them a guide, but everyone knew they would be a watcher. Videre understood this perfectly well, but she offered no objection and bowed her head in silence.
"Thank you. We appreciate your hospitality."
As Videre bowed, her subordinates followed suit, unable to voice any complaints even if they had them.
"We will ensure you aren't inconvenienced, so please, rest. Just refrain from any suspicious behavior. Theoreme, ask Siance to act as their guide."
"At once."
Theoreme nodded and left the magic tent. His purpose was clear to everyone present. Indeed, when he returned about five minutes later, his lieutenant, Siance, was at his side.
"Now then, Lady Videre, please follow this man. He will show you to your quarters."
"Yes. We apologize for the trouble. Please, give Her Highness Frizion’s proposal your utmost consideration."
After another bow, the members of the White Rose Knight Order departed with Siance.
Mercurio watched them go. About 1 minute after the last knight disappeared, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Now then... do you think this is a blessing or a curse, Big Sister?"
Vihera offered a faint smile and shook her head.
"I can't say for sure. But I suspect Big Sister Frizion simply fears the idea of blood-related siblings slaughtering one another."
"...I suppose so. But we can't afford to just roll over and lose, either."
Mercurio felt the weight of responsibility for leading the Rebel Army. He couldn't simply abandon those who had stood by him despite the odds being stacked against them.
Of course, he knew some were mere weathercocks waiting to see which way the wind blew, and he felt little gratitude toward them. There was no telling what such people were plotting. In fact, his spies had already identified several nobles acting suspiciously. He had placed watchers on them discreetly, and so far, they seemed oblivious to the surveillance.
If they continued to cooperate, all would be well. But if they dared to betray the rebellion...
"Theoreme, keep a close eye on anyone trying to contact the White Rose Knight Order. Report even the slightest abnormality to me immediately."
"Understood. I'll make sure Siance is thorough on that point."
Theoreme had clearly read his lord’s mind. He answered without hesitation.
Watching the two of them, Vihera let a soft smile play across her lips. It wasn't her usual alluring smirk, but a warm look, as if she were watching something precious. The bond between the two men gave her peace of mind. She knew she couldn't stay by Mercurio’s side forever; she wanted him to have someone like Theoreme, whose loyalty was absolute, by his side.
"Also, gather the nobles and leaders again. I want to hear their thoughts on this development."
"To be perfectly honest, I believe it’s better for the inner circle to decide this among ourselves," Theoreme argued.
As he said, those in this room were the true power brokers of the Rebel Army. They held the political influence, the military might, and the personal sway over Mercurio.
However, Mercurio shook his head.
"If we decide it here, the others might obey, but it will only lead to resentment and problems later. It’s better to let them vent their frustrations now."
"...If anyone gives you trouble, I’m happy to step in. Just say the word."
Gurgast, who had been silent until now, spoke up suddenly. From his perspective, listening to the opinions of the rabble was a waste of time.
Mercurio shook his head at the count’s offer. Force could solve many things, but it was a tool he wanted to avoid using on his own allies if possible.
"No. While it’s true you hold great power in this army, Gurgast, this is not the place to use it."
Gurgast nodded obediently, though a trace of displeasure lingered on his face.
Gurgast’s influence was undeniable. While the Third Prince Faction led by Theoreme held the numerical advantage, the Rebel Army itself had been founded within Count Obrisin’s Territory. The supplies, the food, even the merchants, prostitutes, and adventurers following the camp—most hailed from Gurgast’s lands.
While he wasn't the sole supporter, many had seen a business opportunity when the rebellion rose in Obrisin and followed along. Even those from neighboring territories were few compared to the locals. Thus, along with Mercurio, Vihera, Theoreme, and the overwhelming combat power of Rei, Gurgast stood as a pillar of the rebellion.
The only reason he didn't exercise that massive influence more often was simply because he had no interest in the tedious headaches of politics.