As twilight descended, Rei and the members of the White Rose Knight Order began preparing to camp near a forest along the highway.
Though they called it "preparing camp," all Rei had to do was withdraw his Magic Tent from storage. The knights, Videre included, watched him with envious eyes, struck by the sheer, unfair convenience of his Item Box.
"So, what’s the plan? I know it’s a bit of a tight fit, but if you all want to stay inside the Magic Tent, I don’t mind."
As he spoke to Videre, Rei’s gaze drifted toward the horses tied to the trees. They were visibly restless, straining to put as much distance between themselves and Seto as possible—or at least trying to hide behind the trunks. They were clearly terrified of him.
Seto, who was essentially a friendly creature unless provoked, let out a dejected huff at being so feared. Perhaps if they were in a stable and stayed together for a long period, the horses might eventually grow used to his presence. But they had only met him today. Furthermore, Seto had spent most of the journey flying, so they had barely even seen his face. Under the circumstances, their terror was only natural.
"I’m sorry," Videre said, "but we will take our rest a short distance away."
"If the horses are that worried about him, I can have Seto move further off," Rei offered. "With his five senses, a little distance won’t hinder his ability to watch the camp."
The face of Videre's subordinate lit up at the suggestion, but before the knight could speak, Videre shook her head.
"No, I’m afraid that won't do. We are the White Rose Knight Order, an organization that prizes chastity above all else. Regardless of how much we trust you, Lord Rei, we cannot spend the night together under one roof—let alone inside the same tent."
"A Magic Tent is a bit different from your average tent, but... well, if you’re that set on it, I won't push. What will you do instead?"
"We have standard tents borrowed from Lord Theoreme. We’ll use those. If we rotate the watch, we’ll all get enough sleep."
"Watch duty, huh? I can handle most of that on my end. Like I said, Seto’s senses are sharp. Even from a distance, he won't miss any monsters or thieves trying to sneak up on your tents."
"But..."
Videre started to protest, but Rei cut her off.
"If things go smoothly, we should reach the Imperial Capital before noon tomorrow. To make that happen, we’re going to have to maintain a forced march."
The horses provided by the Rebel Army were of good stock, but they lacked the exceptional stamina of the high-grade mounts used by Her Highness Frizion. To reach their goal, they would have to push even harder than they had today. Rei’s logic finally reached Videre.
"I see... you’re right. Our duty to Her Highness Frizion requires us to reach the Imperial Capital as quickly as possible, not to be stubborn. Very well, Lord Rei. We will leave the watch to you."
"To Seto, actually," Rei corrected with a mutter.
Seto tilted his head as if asking, Did you call? Rei reached out and stroked his head.
"I was just telling them you’re handling guard duty tonight."
"...Seto, we are in your care," Videre said, bowing her head.
When Rei saw the other knights follow Videre's lead and bow as well, he was slightly moved. He reached into the Misty Ring and began producing food. He had originally intended to serve something simple, but after seeing their show of respect toward Seto, he decided to upgrade the menu slightly as a token of his appreciation.
The rich aroma of a stew made with plenty of vegetables and meat simmered over a long time drifted through the air under the fading autumn sun. The scene felt more like a pleasant camping trip than a military operation, and the knights of the White Rose Knight Order raised a delighted cheer.
Knights or not, they were still human. Good food boosted morale and provided the energy needed for the trials of the next day.
"Let’s eat. Lunch was just a few quick sandwiches, so we might as well have a feast for dinner."
Since this mission was technically an official action of the Rebel Army, Rei had been provided a travel budget by Theoreme. It wasn't nearly enough to buy the sheer volume of food required to satisfy Rei and Seto, but it was an amount that could sustain a normal person for ten days.
One could only lament the staggering appetites of Rei and Seto, who couldn't even satisfy themselves for a four-day trip on a ten-day budget. Regardless, since he was treating Videre’s group, it cost him very little of his own personal stock—hence his generosity.
"This is... thank you. We accept gratefully," Videre said, deciding to partake without further hesitation. She realized that even if she tried to refuse, the outcry from her subordinates would be immense. Her own appetite had also been thoroughly piqued by the smell coming from the pot.
"Go ahead, eat your fill. Like I said, tomorrow’s going to be a long day."
Rei handed out bowls filled with the stew. It was packed with chunks of meat and vegetables; it was less of a soup and more of a hearty meal in its own right. Along with the stew, he served freshly baked bread. Though technically just white bread with a crispy crust and a chewy center, it was so flavorful it could be enjoyed entirely on its own.
For drinks, he provided water—but since he had generated it by pouring magic power into the Dagger of Flowing Water, it was far superior to anything found in a roadside well.
Stew, bread, and water. By normal standards, it was a modest menu, but every single item was of exquisite quality.
"Oh... oh wow..."
"This is... truly a luxury."
"You’re right. This isn't the kind of food you usually see while camping."
"Usually? I doubt even high-ranking nobles eat this well in the field."
As the members of the White Rose Knight Order shared their amazement, Rei ate his own meal with practiced ease. He had seen this reaction countless times before and was well-accustomed to it. He focused instead on savoring the flavors, as if to say the food was the most important thing at hand.
Naturally, Seto was eating too. His dinner consisted of a roasted Fang Boar he had spotted from the sky earlier that afternoon. Given that the beast was two meters long, the "roast" was more of a quick sear, leaving the inside almost rare. Since it had been dressed and then cooked with Rei’s fire magic, it lacked the depth of a slow-roasted meal. However, while Seto enjoyed grilled skewers like the ones sold in town, he was also fond of raw meat. The simple seasoning of salt and herbs on the Fang Boar seemed to satisfy him completely, and he purred happily as he pecked at the carcass.
Twenty minutes passed in focused silence as everyone savored the meal. Once the initial rush of hunger was satisfied, conversation began to flow.
"We’re planning to reach the Imperial Capital by tomorrow morning," Rei said. "Do you have any idea how long the preparations on that side will take?"
"...I can't say for certain," Videre replied. "It will depend on Her Highness Frizion—whether she chooses to bring her entire faction or orders them back to their territories until the unrest settles."
"Meaning we might have to wait around for a while even after we arrive?" Rei asked.
In Rei’s mind, nobles were synonymous with taking a long time to decide anything and even longer to arrange the necessary formalities. Since First Princess Frizion herself would be moving, he worried it might take weeks rather than days. However, Videre shook her head.
"Knowing Her Highness Frizion, she likely began preparing her departure from the moment we were dispatched. Formalities only draw attention. If we waste time on such things, His Highness Schuls or His Highness Cabajid will surely find her."
"So she’ll skip the theater."
"Precisely. Her Highness is kind, but she is not blind to the reality of our situation. Please, rest easy on that front."
Rei looked at the other knights to see if Videre was simply speaking from blind loyalty, but every one of them nodded or smiled in agreement.
(I guess it’s true, then. Come to think of it, she shares blood with Vihera and Mercurio. She’s had an Imperial education, so there’s no way she’s incompetent.)
While it wasn't rare for talented people to have incompetent siblings, Rei hadn't gotten that impression from what Vihera, Mercurio, or Theoreme had told him.
"In that case, we won't be in the Imperial Capital very long."
"No. Is there something else?" Videre asked, sensing a hidden meaning.
"There are a few places I want to stop by—mostly to restock food and supplies. Plus, if I’m lucky, I might be able to pick up some current intel on the state of the city."
"That is important," one of the knights chimed in immediately. The food Rei had provided was so good that she had reflexively agreed in hopes of more.
"You..." Videre sighed at her subordinate’s transparency. Rei couldn't help but let out a small smile.
Of course, since Rei had already checked out of the Eternal Sky Inn, he wouldn't be able to stay there. The Dusk Wheat Inn in Gilm had a dining hall open to the public, but the Eternal Sky Inn was the finest establishment in the Empire and didn't offer such services. It might have been different if Daskar was still there, but the Margrave had checked out as well.
"Lord Rei, you are quite a celebrity," Videre warned. "I must ask that you avoid doing anything that draws attention."
Rei glanced down at his robe.
"This robe has a concealment effect. Unless someone is a master of magic, they won't see through it."
"The Imperial Capital is exactly where you’re likely to find such masters."
"Oh, come on, Captain! We get to eat this delicious food because of him. Lord Rei says his magic item robe will handle it, so let’s go for it!"
Rei smiled and nodded at the knight who was so desperate not to let a good meal slip away.
"If Videre allows it, I’m more than happy to provide."
"Really!?" the knight exclaimed, her face brightening.
"Lord Rei, please don't spoil them," Videre pleaded. "If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile."
"Captain Videre! Is that really how you see me!?"
"...I haven't forgotten the incident with the fruit," Videre reminded her coolly.
The knight froze, clearly having a guilty conscience. Her sudden shift in demeanor brought a wave of laughter to the camp.
"Phew. Honestly... anyway, back to the point. I understand where you want to go, Lord Rei. As long as you don't stand out, I don't see a problem. Though, in truth, everything will depend on the situation once we’re inside the city... I really never imagined I’d be escorting the man who dealt with the subjugation army with only a handful of subordinates."
Videre sighed, still processing the reality of their situation. No matter how much quality could surpass quantity in this world, there were limits. Wiping out a subjugation army with only thirty people was a feat beyond Videre’s wildest imagination.
"You held your own against Noise the Immovable. I expected much... but perhaps I should say you possess strength far beyond my expectations."
"Praising me won't get you anything," Rei replied. "But here, have some of this."
He pulled out several Riot fruits—pears he had secretly received from Vihera before leaving camp. Rei had accepted them gratefully, as he was quite fond of the fruit.
Videre was surprised by the gesture, especially coming right after he’d said she wouldn't get anything, but she accepted the fruit. Being Bestia Imperials, there was no way the knights of the White Rose could dislike Riot fruits.
"We accept gratefully... It seems that even for this short journey, we are destined to be in your debt, Lord Rei."
Videre smiled happily as she began to peel the fruit with a small knife.