Silence enveloped the tent where the Rebel Army's military leadership had gathered once Rei and his Mobile Unit returned to camp and reported their success.
Those who hadn't been informed of the strategy Rei was going to employ couldn't wrap their heads around his words. They looked at him as if he were spouting nonsense, wondering what possible method could have achieved such a feat.
Even for those who understood the full measure of his strength, the scale of his success was simply staggering.
"H-How... how could you possibly have achieved this?"
"Indeed. Lord Rei, I am well aware of your strength. But to achieve such results without even allowing the enemy to retreat... it's simply unbelievable! Ah, no—I’m not saying you’re lying, of course."
The noble who spoke directed his gaze not at Rei, but at Paelnix, who stood behind him.
Had Rei been the only one making the report, some would have certainly insisted it was a lie. But with a subordinate of Theoreme—the man effectively orchestrating the rebellion—serving as a witness, there was little room left for doubt.
Well, there were still those who harbored suspicions, but they didn't go so far as to voice them. They could easily predict that doing so would lead to various unpleasant consequences.
"...He truly is Crimson."
"Yeah. I had heard the stories, but to think he would actually achieve such a victory."
In contrast to those in a state of confusion, there were others exchanging words with a calm demeanor. These were the individuals who had been informed of Rei’s plan in advance.
Rei had assessed his own plan as barely being a strategy at all. From the nobles' perspective, it was hardly subtle or clever. Yet, the fact remained that Rei had decimated nearly the entire Subjugation Army. In the face of such a triumph, the nature of the plan was no longer the issue. Even a rudimentary tactic can yield astronomical results when the one executing it possesses Power Outside Common Sense.
"Impossible..."
"This has to be a joke."
"How... how could this happen..."
The reactions inside the magic tent were split between those shocked by Rei’s achievements and those who, knowing his methods, wore expressions of grim acceptance.
However, there were others whose reactions fit neither category. These were the three nobles who had originally intended to betray the Rebel Army in the thick of the battle. They hadn't known Rei's methods, but they never dreamed he would achieve such an overwhelming victory.
"Magnificent," Mercurio said with a smile of admiration. "Your strength exceeds even the reports."
Gurgast nodded in agreement, his expression not one of praise, but rather the ferocious grin of a predator eyeing its prey. "It seems you were still holding back when we fought. Next time, I'll need you to truly get serious."
"Oh, that's hardly fair," Vihera interjected. "Gurgast just fought Rei the other day; it's my turn next."
She loved him, but that didn't mean she was willing to pass up a chance to spar. Having gone a while without a proper bout with him, she was feeling a bit of unsatisfied Battle Lust.
Watching their exchange, Tilleul turned toward Rei with a look of surprise that gave way to understanding. This was the man his beloved Vihera had fallen for, so such a feat was only to be expected. If anything, he felt Rei deserved a slight deduction for failing to achieve a one-hundred-percent annihilation rate.
While Vihera felt a trace of sadness over the loss of life among her fellow Bestia Empire citizens, Tilleul’s sorrow was far more superficial. The difference in their feelings likely stemmed from the distinction between the one who was adored and the one doing the adoring.
"And what of the looted supplies?" Theoreme asked, cutting through the excitement with his usual calm.
Like Vihera, he had seen Rei's abilities firsthand and wasn't particularly shocked. Rei likely understood this as well; despite the worshipful gazes surrounding him, he spoke as if it were a minor detail.
"They're inside the Misty Ring. I can pull them out whenever you're ready."
"I’d appreciate that. I’ll lead you to a proper spot after the meeting."
"But as we agreed, the spears..."
"I haven't forgotten."
Their exchange was brief. For this night raid, Rei had made various demanding requests of the Rebel Army. For instance, the horses ridden by the Mobile Unit were all of the finest quality, and providing enough for everyone had been a significant burden for the rebellion. One of the conditions for granting those demands was that Rei would hand over the majority of the captured military supplies.
In truth, most of the supplies were of no great interest to Rei. As long as he could keep the spears, he didn't mind giving the rest to the Rebel Army. The haul included gold and platinum coins intended for purchasing goods from nearby villages, but Rei was hardly hurting for money. He had already earned enough to last a normal person a lifetime.
Well, they’re my unit for as long as this civil war lasts. I made them do something as reckless as taking on an entire army with only thirty men, so the least I can do is make sure they're well-compensated.
Handing over the supplies would count as a massive achievement for both Rei and the Mobile Unit, which would inevitably lead to better rewards and treatment for the men.
Rei and Paelnix finished explaining how the night raid had unfolded, and eventually, the conversation shifted to Sobul, the only prisoner taken during the operation.
"Sobul," Mercurio mused. "He’s known as one of the most capable men directly serving Big Brother Cabajid."
Various opinions were voiced by the other executives.
"We should kill him!"
"Wait. He’s a valuable pawn. We should use his life as leverage for negotiations with His Highness Cabajid."
"It's a waste of time," Mercurio interjected, his voice firm as steel. "Big Brother Cabajid can be compassionate toward his men, but he’s also the type to discard them without a second thought if it secures his victory. He won't negotiate."
"But this is Sobul we're talking about," a noble argued. "He's a heavyweight in the First Prince Faction. Would he really cast him aside so easily?"
"He would."
The gazes of everyone present gathered on Mercurio. Vihera had a trace of sadness in her eyes, and Theoreme nodded in understanding. Tilleul, Gurgast, and Rei remained impassive, while the other nobles looked on in surprise.
"Big Brother Cabajid will not hesitate if he judges it a necessary sacrifice. My house arrest was one such move—though rumors spread afterward that changed the outcome he intended."
Mercurio gave his head a small shake before continuing. "Negotiation might be possible with Big Brother Schuls, given his affection for his subordinates. But with Big Brother Cabajid, assume it’s impossible. If this were a noble from his faction rather than a direct subordinate, the story might be different, but..."
Mercurio cast an amused glance toward Rei. One of the nobles followed his gaze and spoke.
"Lord Rei, don't you think it would have been better if you had taken a noble prisoner instead of this man?"
The noble’s tone was hesitant, almost tentative—a reflection of the awe he felt for Rei’s strength.
"We were operating deep in enemy territory, less than a day's ride from the Imperial Capital," Rei replied flatly. "We didn't have the luxury of taking a crowd of prisoners. Capturing Sobul was pure luck. He got knocked off his horse while trying to flee and the Mobile Unit snagged him. Right?"
Paelnix gave a small nod. "Yes. We didn't target him; it was a matter of circumstance."
"I see. I suppose it couldn't be helped, then."
"Furthermore," Paelnix added, "our information suggests most of the nobles in that army were third or fourth sons with no chance of inheriting their houses."
"That makes sense," another noble agreed. "A second son might be worth something as a backup, but a fourth son is disposable."
As an awkward atmosphere began to spread through the tent, Tilleul spoke up to dispel it.
"In any case, we’ve achieved an overwhelming victory. This could determine the very course of the civil strife. I propose we broadcast the news of this win all over the Bestia Empire."
"Agreed," Theoreme said. "Successive victories will provide a massive tailwind for our cause. Besides, the enemy won't be able to move for a while."
"Exactly," Vihera added with a meaningful smile. "Big Brother Schuls will be tied up with ransom negotiations for his nobles, and Big Brother Cabajid will be desperate to recover the military strength he just lost. That means Big Sister Frizion is..."
Rei caught on to her meaning. She had decided to accept the proposal to join them found in the letter from Videre. They needed to extract her from the Imperial Capital while the other princes were paralyzed, but the Rebel Army couldn't afford to send a large force.
The key would be an elite team of high-level individuals. Vihera’s gaze drifted toward Gurgast, Theoreme, and Rei. Since Theoreme had to remain in command of the army, the task would likely fall to her, Gurgast, and Rei.
Knowing that the civil war was finally moving into its middle stage, Vihera wore a bewitching smile in anticipation of the powerful opponents still to come.