“…What? What did you just say?”
Videre spoke in a stunned voice from within the magic tent near the Center of the Rebel Army's Position.
It didn't stop there. She turned a suspicious, doubting gaze toward Rei. Under normal circumstances, a noble would likely have stood up to call such speech insolent, but for better or worse, even the nobles present understood exactly how Videre felt. Not a single person spoke a word of reprimand. If anything, several onlookers wore expressions of profound empathy, clearly understanding why she had reacted that way.
“It is exactly as I said. Two nights ago, Crimson and the Mobile Unit launched a night raid on the Subjugation Army and succeeded in nearly decimating them.”
Though the statement was repeated, Videre still found it impossible to believe.
She couldn't wrap her head around how they had managed to launch a night raid against the Subjugation Army while it was still deep within enemy territory, nor how they had managed to inflict such catastrophic damage on a force of six thousand men.
The latter was particularly baffling. Videre and the members of the White Rose Knight Order had been stationed with the lookouts since arriving at the rebel camp, so she had a clear understanding of the size of Rei's Unit. How could they have achieved such a feat with so few people?
The fire tornado used at the Seremuse Plain crossed Videre's mind, but even so, she couldn't conceive of it causing enough damage to leave an entire army in a state of near-annihilation. It was only natural; she never could have imagined that the firestorm Rei created was capable of moving freely within the camp.
However, this report was also a fatal blow to Videre's plans.
She knew that her master, Frizziore, lamented the fighting between her brothers. That was why Frizziore wanted to join the rebel side to create a stalemate, hoping to settle this civil strife through negotiations during the subsequent lull in conflict. Videre had sensed this goal, but she also knew that Frizziore—who had collaborated in placing Mercureo under house arrest—would not be accepted easily.
Under these circumstances, Videre had focused on the sheer military strength held by Cabajid and Schuls. She had assumed that because the rebels were at a numerical disadvantage, Frizziore's offer of support would be indispensable. Even if the First Princess Faction's forces were inferior to those of Cabajid or Schuls, they possessed enough strength to stand as a significant power, and surely the Rebel Army would jump at the chance to accept them.
But the current report had overturned that premise. The very assumption that the Rebel Army lacked sufficient strength had been upended. If Rei possessed military power comparable to an entire army as an individual, it was essentially the same as the Rebel Army having two separate major powers on their side.
In this night raid, the Mobile Unit had certainly achieved great results by waiting at the entrance of the protective fence, but Videre realized that had been a secondary measure. With the magic Rei had used, the Subjugation Army's camp would have been destroyed regardless; the Mobile Unit had likely been little more than a cleanup crew.
With that realization, Videre once again internally considered strategies to break the current situation.
(Currently, there are five major powers moving in this civil war: His Highness Cabajid, His Highness Schuls, His Highness Mercureo, Crimson, and Her Highness Frizziore. His Majesty the Emperor is standing by as an observer, and most of the National Army is acting as a deterrent to keep the neighboring countries and the Kingdom of Mireana from making any sudden moves.)
Videre cast a sidelong glance at Rei before resuming her internal deliberation.
(In other words, at present, His Highness Mercureo and Crimson are working together against His Highness Cabajid and His Highness Schuls. However, in terms of pure manpower, the former is at an advantage. If that's the case... it can still work. No, rather, because of this situation, Her Highness Frizziore's power can become the trump card. Her Highness will likely not be pleased, but that lady's safety is the top priority!)
The highest priority for Videre was Frizziore's safety. That being the case, even if they were at a military disadvantage, she could not abandon the option of cooperating with the Rebel Army, which now held an overwhelming advantage in the war.
To begin with, the existence of an irregular like Rei—who possessed enough power as an individual to go toe-to-toe with an entire army—had completely disrupted Frizziore and Videre's calculations. It was only natural that Videre felt like shouting, “What a meddlesome thing to do!”
(The problem is what the other side thinks. When we brought the proposal before, they seemed reasonably favorable, but if their mind has changed because of this incident...)
Just as she reached that thought, she suddenly noticed Mercureo looking toward her with a faint smile.
“…!?”
Had he seen through her thoughts? For an instant, she panicked, but in the next moment, she braced herself. She was a knight, not a politician. There was no way she could win a battle of wits against Mercureo, who had been raised and educated as a prince.
“So, His Highness Mercureo. Was I called here today simply to be informed about the repulsion of the Subjugation Army?”
“That is part of it. But it's been several days since you arrived at the rebel camp, hasn't it? I thought it was time to let you know how we intend to respond to Big Sister Frizziore's offer.”
Here it comes, Videre thought.
She had stayed here specifically to hear this response. And since the repulsion of the Subjugation Army had been accomplished, she feared the likelihood of the Rebel Army accepting Frizziore was now low. She would have to find some way to persuade him and overturn Mercureo's judgment—
Even as Videre braced herself, the words that came out of Mercureo's mouth were entirely unexpected.
“Yes. Regarding the proposal from Big Sister Frizziore, I will gratefully accept it.”
“…Eh?”
Videre stood frozen, unable to process what the prince had just said. No, she understood the words, but she couldn't understand why he would make such a choice. The Rebel Army had already repelled the Subjugation Army twice; why would they go out of their way to accept Frizziore, who could potentially become a source of internal friction?
Mercureo met Videre’s stunned murmur with a calm smile.
“Did you perhaps think I wouldn't accept Big Sister Frizziore's offer?”
“No! But, well…”
Her hesitation revealed her true thoughts.
“Well, I can't say I don't understand how you feel, Videre. But just because we won this time doesn't mean we'll necessarily win the next, right? Naturally, we intend to win and will devise various plans to that end, but when thinking of those plans, it's better to have more military strength. And besides…”
Mercureo let out a natural, faint bitter smile.
“Because of her personality, Big Sister Frizziore has high support among the people. Since such a person wishes to join our side, I have no objection. However, there are naturally a few problems with the acceptance.”
“…And they are?”
“First, the biggest issue is the matter of the Right of Succession to the Throne. Wishing to join us means—and it's a bit blunt to say it this way—that she will serve under me. May I assume that is the understanding?”
“That is… I apologize, but I cannot answer that on my own authority.”
Videre believed that Frizziore wasn't particularly aiming for the throne herself. However, she could not answer a question that concerned Frizziore's future status; she could only delay the response.
Of course, Mercureo had asked the question knowing full well that Videre would give such an answer. That was precisely the opening he needed for his next proposal.
“Then, I'll have you return to inform Big Sister Frizziore of this matter. I don't think my brothers will be showing any movement right now, so it shouldn't be difficult to return to the Imperial Capital. …However.”
Videre tensed. She wondered what kind of condition he was about to impose.
“If Big Sister Frizziore is to join me, we naturally need to provide an escort from our side as well. It would take time for Big Brother Schuls and Big Brother Cabajid to organize a large-scale Subjugation Army again, but I don't think they'll simply overlook someone coming here from their own camp.”
“That is… certainly true.”
Videre had no choice but to agree and nodded in return.
“But you understand that we can't exactly dispatch a large army, right? It's inside my brothers' spheres of influence. The main reason Rei took only his own unit for this night raid was to avoid discovery.”
“Meaning, that is…”
“Right. I'm thinking of having you take Rei and Seto with you. Rei's individual combat power is peerless. …Well, as you can see from this night raid, he specializes in wide-range annihilation by attacking large groups of enemies at once with magic, but as a magic warrior, he can also handle close combat with ease.”
“I… am aware of that. Though I may not look it, I watched him during the fighting tournament as Her Highness Frizziore's guard.”
“…Heh. That's unusual for Big Sister Frizziore, given she doesn't like fighting.”
“One must watch the Finals as a Duty of the Imperial Family. But… well, Lord Rei's face is quite well-known in the Imperial Capital after his performance in the fighting tournament. If some time had passed it would be one thing, but right now, the intensity of his battle with Lord Noise is still fresh in the minds of the people.”
So, wouldn't Rei be unsuitable in this case? In response to Videre's concern, it was Vihera who spoke up.
“It's true that Rei's face is famous, but heading to the Imperial Capital without being caught requires going as an individual, and in that case, individual combat power becomes crucial. Though, if we're going to welcome Big Sister Frizziore, it would normally be best for me, her sister, to go… but…”
Vihera trailed off. It was obvious why. To those in the Imperial Capital, Rei had certainly become famous, but Vihera was a member of the Imperial Family herself; her face was far better known.
Of course, there were others with excellent individual combat power—Gurgast or Theoreme, for instance. But while Gurgast's name was known to the nobles, the general public wasn't as familiar with his face.
The reason Rei was chosen among them was, as expected, the existence of Seto.
It took about two days to get from the Rebel Army's Position to the Imperial Capital by carriage. If one rode on horseback, it would be shorter, but it would still take over a day. But for Seto, it was a distance that could be covered in just a few hours. That overwhelming mobility was the primary reason Rei had been selected.
Furthermore, the fact that only Rei could fly on Seto was the deciding factor. Once Vihera explained it, Videre had no choice but to accept the logic.
“…Understood. So, specifically when will we be returning to the Imperial Capital?”
“We're currently scouting the situation in the capital, so I can't say for sure, but I'm certain you'll be departing soon. Videre, you and the members of the White Rose Knight Order should be prepared to leave at any time.”
Videre nodded solemnly at Vihera's words.
Blatta, having rested and recovered his strength, was immediately back in the Training Ground, exerting himself with a vengeance.
The fact that his partner, Soble, had been lost because of his own lack of strength clearly ate at him. He swung his longsword with an expression so grim it was visible to any observer. Each strike shattered the wood set up as a target.
“Haa… haa… haa…”
He had been training for hours. His breathing was ragged, and his face was slick with sweat. Even the soldiers of the First Prince Faction nearby wondered if someone should stop him. But there was no one who could bring themselves to speak to the current Blatta, and most simply moved to other parts of the Training Ground to avoid him.
In the midst of this…
“Blatta!”
“Haa… haa. …Rhodos, is it? What is it? I'm busy. If you have business, save it for later.”
Blatta spat the words out and tried to return to his training, but the next words from Rhodos made him stop in spite of himself.
“Is it true that Rei showed up!?”
“…That man… I will strike him down with my own hands!”
With those words filled with murderous intent, Blatta swung his longsword, destroying the target embedded next to the one he had just broken.