“Well then, His Highness Mercurio, Lady Vihera, Lord Theoreme. Thank you for everything during our stay.”
Early in the morning, before the sun had even fully crested the eastern horizon, Videre offered her thanks to those who had gathered outside the camp to see them off.
Clad in the full regalia of the White Rose Knight Order—gleaming white armor, a flowing mantle, and a longsword sheathed at her hip—she cut a gallant figure in the breaking dawn.
“I’m looking forward to hearing from Big Sister Frizion,” Mercurio replied. “It would be a significant boon if she could join our forces.”
“I understand that would be the ideal outcome, and Her Highness Frizion herself holds no particular ambition for the throne. I expect everything will go smoothly, but...”
If Frizion joined the Rebel Army, she would serve under him. Videre recalled the condition Mercurio had attached and offered a vague response, knowing she couldn't give a definitive commitment on the spot.
“As for Rei... even if I tell you to be careful, I suppose nothing truly dangerous can happen as long as you're with Set,” Vihera added. “Still, you never know what to expect in the Imperial Capital. It’s a den of chimimoryo, for lack of a better word. Please, stay on your guard.”
“I understand,” Rei said. “With this robe, it’s not easy for people to spot me. Besides, Set will be waiting just outside the city, so I can handle whatever comes up.”
“That’s true. If Set could enter the city with you, I would worry less.”
While Vihera held deep trust in Rei, she trusted his partner just as much. At a glance, Rei looked like a frail mage—one who appeared to have only just become an adventurer. Set, however, possessed a presence that overwhelmed others on sight. As a deterrent against low-level thugs, Set was unparalleled.
...Though, of course, that sometimes meant attracting the attention of people specifically looking to target a gryphon.
“And listen—make absolutely sure you don’t cause any trouble,” Vihera warned. “You’re accompanying them as a guest of the White Rose Knight Order. If you cause a scene there, it could end up being a burden for Big Sister Frizion as well.”
“To be honest, I’m not very confident about that... but I’ll do what I can.”
Rei’s role for this journey was that of a guest rescued by the knights during a mission. Initially, there had been suggestions that he join the order as a member, given his feminine features. While Rei was well aware of his girlish face, he had drawn a firm line at actual cross-dressing.
While he could tolerate the white armor—even though it was tailored to a woman’s physique—he had no desire to deal with cosmetics. Since coming to this world, he had become acutely aware of his youthful, feminine looks, making his aversion to such things twice as strong as any normal person's. He didn't mind seeing it on others, but he knew he would look far too convincing if he did it himself, which only deepened his distaste.
“Honestly... don’t just say you’ll do what you can; you have to actually do it.”
Vihera let out an exasperated sigh, yet there was almost no trace of anxiety in her eyes. As the sun rose from the east, bathing the surroundings in light, it seemed to her that no matter what Rei did, things would work out in the end.
“Now then, His Highness Mercurio. We will be departing shortly.”
“Yes. I expect you all to return safely. For safety’s sake, I had the scouts in this vicinity cleared away this morning. They’ll likely be sent out again eventually, but for now, the path is clear.”
“Understood! I apologize for the trouble we have caused you. I will ensure the personal letter is delivered to Her Highness Frizion.”
With a voice full of determination, Videre mounted her horse. The horses they had brought had died during their initial encounter with Rei, so the mounts they used now were gifts from the Rebel Army. Given the cost of such animals, it was a clear sign of the expectations Mercurio and Theoreme held for them.
However, these were ordinary horses; compared to those strictly trained from birth for military service, they were inferior in many respects. Naturally, they were terrified of the gryphon.
“Lord Rei, I request that you handle scouting from the sky.”
“Yeah. ...Well, I’m off.”
“Yes, take care.”
After exchanging brief words with Vihera, Rei headed toward Set, who had moved a distance away to avoid spooking the mounts.
“Captain Rei!”
Rei instinctively turned at the voice calling from behind. Despite the early hour, the members of the Mobile Unit were all gathered there to see him off. Paelnix stood at the lead.
“““Take care!”””
Rei gave a lightly embarrassed smile and a wave to his men. From the nearby tents, soldiers who had mistaken the shouting for an enemy attack came jumping out, but they quickly realized the situation upon seeing the rebel leadership. Those whose sleep had been interrupted shot glares toward the Mobile Unit, but they were wise enough not to direct that irritation toward Mercurio, Vihera, or Theoreme. Even half-asleep, their survival instincts were sharp enough to avoid such a suicidal mistake.
“So, I’ll be moving slowly while keeping watch from above. That works for you, right?”
“Yes, that would be a great help,” Videre said. “If possible, I wanted you to move closer to us, but with the horses in this state, it’s impossible.”
She gave a wry smile at her horse, which was visibly trembling. The other knights were in the same position; if they tried to travel alongside Set, the mental fatigue on the animals would be ruinous. They would be forced to travel to the Imperial Capital on foot, which was unacceptable when every second counted. Set was the perfect solution—from the sky, the gryphon’s scouting range was vastly superior anyway.
“It can’t be helped. We’ll definitely have to stay overnight at least once on the way. What will you do about the horses then? I usually have Set keep watch outside my Magic Tent, so if the horses are scared, I’ll have to camp further away.”
“We will have to do that,” Videre agreed. “To begin with, we are the White Rose Knight Order. Even if you are young, propriety forbids us from spending the night in the same tent as a man.”
She stated this as a matter of course, though some of the knights seemed intrigued by the mention of a "Magic Tent."
“Captain, Lord Rei is still a boy. Is there really a need to be that strict?” one asked.
“Absolutely. It would be indecent. ...Besides, Lord Rei is Lady Vihera’s beloved. If you were to spend a night with such a person... well, imagine the consequences.”
“...I apologize, I was out of line.”
At Videre’s words, the knight lowered her head in surrender. Even on horseback, her posture remained perfect. It was the riding skill expected of those directly under Princess Frizion.
“You can decide the camping arrangements on your end,” Rei said. “The Magic Tent I have might be a bit cramped for this many people, but I think everyone could fit inside if necessary.”
“Very well, we will discuss it. More importantly, while I appreciate the aerial scouting, please try not to get too far ahead. Set’s speed is incredible—we couldn't possibly catch up to you if you left us behind.”
“Guru!” Set chirped proudly. Rei stroked the gryphon’s head.
“Set could reach the Imperial Capital in a few hours if I let him. Anyway, I get it. I’ll keep pace from above.”
“We’re counting on you.”
With those final words, Rei signaled Set. With a short run of a few meters, the gryphon flapped its wings and ascended. Videre watched the figure—which looked more like it was running through the sky than flying—before shooting a sharp look at the subordinate who had suggested sharing a tent.
“Don't say such foolish things.”
“But, Captain. You know Lord Rei's abilities. He single-handedly decimated an army, commands a gryphon, and possesses numerous magic items. He’s a prime catch. I’d almost want to recruit him into the order.”
“That’s why I’m telling you not to be foolish. Lord Rei is a man. That alone makes it impossible. And besides, you should understand his personality by now.”
“His appearance is quite feminine; with a bit of effort, no one would realize he’s a boy. He even wears that robe to hide his silhouette.”
For a split second, Videre inadvertently wondered if it could actually work. But in the next instant, she imagined Rei getting into trouble with the nobility—not just the enemy, but even those of the First Princess Faction.
“It’s impossible. He is a peerless military force, but he’s far too difficult to handle. Hiring him as an adventurer is one thing, but taking him in as one of our own would require more resolve than we have.”
“...The Rebel Army seems to be using him well enough.”
“That’s likely because Lady Vihera is there. Unfortunately, Her Highness Frizion would not be able to manage him. Even Lady Angela would find it difficult.”
Videre felt a renewed respect for Mercurio’s caliber in being able to utilize such a wild card without incident. She could only imagine a future of constant trouble if they tried the same.
“It’s best to maintain this kind of distance with Lord Rei. Hostility is out of the question, but taking him in is equally difficult. ...Looking at it that way, Margrave Larkus certainly handled him well. Is that the frontier for you?”
“Perhaps. And according to Her Highness Frizion, there are almost no 'proper' nobles in Gilm. It likely only worked because of the Margrave’s personal influence.”
Videre nodded in agreement.
“Gilm worked because it was the frontier. No matter how the Margrave treated him, there would have been a massive scandal in the Kingdom of Mireana’s capital. Lord Rei belongs somewhere that isn't so stifled by etiquette.”
Videre murmured regretfully as she watched Set flying overhead. The sun had fully risen, and from his vantage point on Set’s back, Rei looked down at the knights below. On the ground, they looked like tiny specks.
“Gururuu.”
Set chirped to signal that there were no abnormalities. Rei stroked the gryphon and pulled some dried meat from the Misty Ring, popping a piece into his own mouth before giving some to Set.
It was high-quality dried meat from the Eternal Sky Inn. It was expensive but delicious—so much so that other dried meats now felt lacking by comparison.
“...Since we're going to the Imperial Capital, if I get the chance, I’d like to stop by the Eternal Sky Inn and stock up on as much food as I can.”
Rei murmured as he looked toward their destination, and Set chirped happily while chewing on the treat.